SPEECH BY MR CHAN SOO SEN, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY (PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE AND MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT), AT LIFE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL AWARDS PRESENTATION CEREMONY, WED, 31 MAR 99, 12.15PM AT SINGAPORE MARRIOTT HOTEL, BALLROOM 3 LEVEL 3

Good afternoon,

My Parliamentary Colleague

Dr S Vasoo

Dr Richard Eu

Chairman

Community Chest

Mr N Ganesan

President

Life Insurance Association (LIA)

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen

I am very happy to join you for the third year at your annual Life Insurance Association (LIA) Annual Awards Presentation. I would first like to again commend and thank the LIA for presenting the Awards. Although volunteers serve the community without expecting anything in return, gestures of encouragement and recognition by the community, such as the annual LIA awards help to encourage more to volunteer. I would also like to commend and congratulate the award holders for your commitment, dedication, and excellence in serving the community. To the participants who did not win awards, please do not be discouraged. You know your work has been appreciated by those you serve, and you know you are doing the right and meaningful thing you want to do. The good feeling you have in your heart is the primary source of inspiration and the most important award.

This afternoon, I would like to highlight the three winners. All three winners reflect the interesting, wide scope and selfless aspect of volunteerism. The first person is Madam Choo Soy Moi, winner of the Individual Category. Madam Choo suffered from cancer and is currently in remission. Instead of asking for help and feeling depressed, she courageously gave her time and energy to serve others as a volunteer since 1993. She gave hope to other cancer patients by counselling them at the Singapore General Hospital. She also manages the karaoke services of two Moral Society Senior Activity Centres. I hope all will join me in wishing Madam Choo good health and a speedy recovery. The community needs her, and more people like her.

The second winner is 18-year-old Miss Hazel See from the Youth Category. Although she comes from an elite junior college, she does not fit the stereotype of an elite JC student. She serves with Muhammadiyah Welfare Home helping children from the less fortunate background with their studies, counsel them, and encourage them to do well. Miss Hazel See has done well in her ‘A’ levels exams, and aspires to be a teacher upon graduation from the university. I propose all of us wish her success in her ambition. She will make a difference to more of our younger generations as a good and dedicated teacher.

The third is the Society for the Physically Disabled Wheelchair Repair Service, winner of the Group Category. I had the opportunity to visit the Handicaps Welfare Association (HWA) and the Society For Aid to the Paralysed (SAP). I realised how valuable a wheelchair is to a paralysed person. It is a matter of freedom of movement, something most of us take for granted but something a paralysed person value most highly. To have a serviceable wheelchair is foremost in the mind of a paralysed person. The Society for the Physically Disabled Wheelchair Repair Service brings hope back to the disabled, especially those who are poor and cannot afford the cost of wheelchair repair and service. Let us thank the Society and its volunteers for helping to give hope and some sense of freedom to the disabled through your many hours of silent but vital work.

These three award winners are certainly real life inspirations to all of us. However, let us also thank the many volunteers who are not here today and who have not won prizes. We remember your contributions, and we know you feel good about giving. We hope you keep going, and more will join your rank. Together let us build a gracious and compassionate society, and feel proud and good about our effort.

I wish all of you an enjoyable afternoon.

Thank you.

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