Brasília, 7/28/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The governor of Piauí, Wellington Dias, described the death Saturday of federal deputy, Francisca Trindade (PT), as a gigantic loss for Piauí. "She was a bridge, a networker, a person who connected state social movements with ministerial offices in Brasilia," said Dias, adding that it was significant that she died at a ceremony for the signing of aquaculture contracts worth R$1.7 million, something she had been working on for a long time.

According to Dias, Trindade was a long-time friend of president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. "Lula met Trindade when she was 13 or 14 years old. She was always more than just another party member, she was a real friend of Lula's," said the governor, adding that the president has confirmed that he will attend the funeral today.

Trindade began her political career as a substitute city council member in 1992 for Wellington Dias. When Dias ran for mayor, she took office on the council. In 1996, she was the most-voted for city council member in the state capital, Teresinha. In 1998, she was elected a state deputy. In 2000, she was elected vice mayor on the same ticket with Dias. In 2002 she became Piauí's most- voted for federal deputy in history, with 165,190 votes.

According to Dias, she was a strong candidate to run for Mayor of Teresinha. "All the opinion polls showed her in first place," said the governor. (AB)

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