Pickersgill

Minister of Housing, Trans-port, Water and Works, Robert Pickersgill and Jamaica's Ambassador to the United States, Professor Gordon Shirley, repre-sented the country at Tuesday's state funeral for the 38th President of the United States, Gerald R. Ford, at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

The service was attended by over 3,000 persons, headed by President George W. Bush and past Presidents, George H. W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

Minister Pickersgill expressed condolence to the Ford family on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica.

Minister Pickersgill said shortly after the service that there was no doubt that the former president made an outstanding contribution to the United States.

"Jamaica and the United States have a long established relation-ship and there is mutual respect for each other and Jamaica would not allow the occasion to pass and not be present at the last rights for the former president," he said.