President Edward Fenech Adami described former Nationalist Minister and PM Carmelo Caruana as “a bulldozer, yet had a great sensibility towards people and their problems”.
During the unveiling of the monument dedicated to him in Zurrieq, President Fenech Adami highlighted Dr Caruana’s humility and said he did not have any pretensions. The President remembered how during the electoral campaign leading to the 1962 elections, Dr Caruana took him under his wings and was there to encourage him in the first public speeches. Dr Fenech Adami described Dr Caruana as a patriot, both towards Malta and his hometown Zurrieq.
President Emeritus Ugo Mifsud Bonnici said Dr Caruana was endowed with intelligence, wisdom, and the virtue of strength. He also described him as a just man. While reminiscing episodes in Dr Caruana’s life, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said the Zurrieq lawyer was very helpful with youths, and referred in particular to Ministers Louis Galea and Ninu Zammit, for whom Dr Caruana was the mentor. Dr Mifsud Bonnici said Dr Caruana took unto himself the responsibility of building the Independence Press and PN’s headquarters, even if he was not the party leader.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici reminded the public that Dr Caruana was a humble person who did not seek the limelight yet did not disdain responsibilities; in fact he served both as Acting Prime Minister and President.
Education, Youths and Employment Minister Louis Galea spoke about how the idea of making a monument came about and how it took three years to materialise. He said Dr Caruana had used politics for the benefit of the country and not out of selfishness.
Resources and Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit, Elderly and Community Care Parliamentary Secretary Helen D’ Amato and Zurrieq mayor Ignatius Farrugia also delivered a short address.
Dr Caruana’s family, including daughter Maria Fatima Vassallo and sisters Frances and Josephine Caruana, were also present for the unveiling of the monument, sculpted by famous Maltese artist Anton Agius.
Dr Caruana was born in Zurrieq on 26 February 1916. He was elected on behalf of the Nationalist Party for the first time in 1947 and continued to win his seat in Parliament until the 1981 election.
In 1950, he became Industry and Commerce Minister and, a year later, Posts and Agriculture were added to his portfolio. In 1962, he became Agriculture, Energy and Works Minister and, two years later, became Public Buildings and Works Minister. He died on 5 February 1992.