Crowning glory

A deep love for country, with a desire to contribute to its development, is a trait shared among the distinguished Jamaicans who were yesterday recognised for their outstanding service in various fields during the annual National Honours and Awards Investiture Ceremony.

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett was among eight individuals conferred with membership in the Order of Jamaica (OJ), leading the list of 223 honourees.

Membership in the OJ is the fourth highest of Jamaica’s national honours, which Prime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday indicated could soon see the addition of the Order of National Icon. Louise Bennett Coverley and Bob Marley would be its first members.

Bartlett, who has been in politics for four decades and has received numerous global accolades for his work in tourism, dedicated this honour to the people of the two constituencies, St Andrew Eastern, where he served as member of parliament (MP) between 1980 and 1993, and St James East Central, where he has been MP for the past 27 years.

“It has been, for me, a labour of love, primarily as it relates to the contribution to human capital development. So, whatever else one may say about tourism, and thought leadership and international recognition, there’s no recognition that is more important to me than when I see a child who otherwise would have missed being given a chance, and that chance is now reflective in a professionalism that adds value to the country,” he told The Gleaner.

UNEXPECTED HONOUR

Although cognisant of the impact he has made in people’s lives, especially with his educational programme he started more than 40 years ago, Bartlett said receiving Jamaica’s fourth highest honour was unexpected.

“It’s not why you work; the rest of the world has given quite a bit of response to my effort, particularly in tourism, but to have the ultimate that I think is available to people like me, it’s really a crowning glory - it was not expected but it is really humbly received,” he said.

For his 31 years of outstanding contribution to public service and politics, Dr Horace Chang, minister of national security, was also bestowed membership in the OJ.

Describing it as a “great honour” to be appreciated by the nation he serves, Chang, who is the member of parliament for North West St James, also said it was not an award he expected.

“In the early years, don’t think so much of these things. You’re opting to serve in terms of the Cabinet, in terms of the government and what you can do,- and the opportunity you get to make some of the changes you want and help,” he said. “In the end, it’s the satisfaction you get to change people’s lives to your community and your country, and I have had the privilege of doing some of that,” he said.

Professor of Psychiatry, Dr Wendel Abel, has dedicated his life to mental health research and treatment, driven by the mantra ‘service to country is the greatest honour’.

Extolling his love for Jamaica and expressing gratitude for the role it played in shaping him, Abel, who was conferred with membership in the OJ for his outstanding contribution to psychiatry, particularly in the area of mental and community health, told The Gleaner that the award will serve as inspiration for him to continue his mental health advocacy.

“It certainly will encourage one to continue to serve and to sacrifice, especially in a difficult area as mental health. The work I’ve done and the honour I’ve received here today certainly will give me a platform on which I can amplify the voice of persons living with mental illness and to be able to continue to advocate on their behalf and to create services and contribute to policy to help with the development of mental health services in Jamaica.”

He dedicated the award to everyone who has supported him over the years.

Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks, was awarded membership in the OJ for outstanding service to the government and people of Jamaica in her contribution to economic development through entrepreneurship, promotion of social development enterprises, and nation-building.

Expressing her gratitude for the honour, Marks said she was particularly pleased she was also recognised for her work as an entrepreneur.

“We need to have a framework that celebrates and push forward entrepreneurs, innovators, risk-takers, because we are naturally a very creative people, and we need to recognise and celebrate those who take the path a little different,” she told The Gleaner.

Lyttleton ‘Tanny’ Shirley, chairman of the Factories Corporation of Jamaica, brought his seven-year-old daughter to the National Indoor Sports Centre to witness her father being awarded membership in the OJ for his sterling contribution to the public and private sectors.

He is hoping that the moment will serve as an inspiration for her.

“I see it as an example for my young daughter to experience it, and to understand the importance of giving back to your country. I am hoping that she will grow up to also be honoured. She is very bright, she is very intelligent, and I am sure she will want to be the future recipient of this prestigious award,” he said.

Others honoured with membership in the OJ included businessman and philanthropist, William Shaghoury, for his contribution to business development, philanthropy and community development; Senator Donald Wehby, for sterling contribution to business and entrepreneurship; and businessman Gary ‘Butch’ Hendrickson, for sterling contribution to entrepreneurship and philanthropy.

Of the 233 individuals who received national honours yesterday, 83 were members of the uniformed groups who were awarded the Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service.

sashana.small@gleanerjm.com