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141 Jamaicans Receive National Awards For Service To Country

October 20, 2003

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A total of 141 outstanding Jamaicans who have contributed to nation building in the areas of education, music, banking, sports, religion, community development, medicine, among other areas, were today (October 20) recognized at the National Honours and Awards ceremony held at King’s House.
Hundreds of family, friends and well-wishers of the awardees turned out in their numbers to witness the memorable event. The ceremony got underway at about 9:00 a.m. with Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Howard Cooke, conferring the fourth highest honour, the Order of Merit (OM) on James Chambers (Jimmy Cliff) for his outstanding contribution to Film and Music.
Four persons received the Order of Jamaica (OJ). They are Cecil Baugh, for contribution to Visual Arts; Dr. Oswald Harding, for service to the Legislature; Karl Reginald Hendrickson, for his work in the field of Commerce and Professor Errol Miller for his contribution to Education and Public Service.
Another 24 persons were conferred with the Order of Distinction, in the Rank of Commander Class (CD), while 32 persons received the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer Class (OD).
The Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service (BHM) was awarded to 21 persons for their contribution to Education, Paediatric Nursing, service to Agriculture and the Community.
Sixteen other Jamaicans received the Badge of Honour of Long and Faithful Service, with one being a posthumous award presented to the late Thomas Dilford Bernard for his contribution to Public Service.
Meanwhile, Constable Garfield Ricardo Letford of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) received the medal of Honour for Gallantry for foiling a robbery attempt in which two of the would-be robbers were killed and the other two injured.
Jimmy Cliff, who was dapperly attired in a full white African inspired outfit with gold and black hat, told JIS News after accepting his award that he was “very honoured” to have been recognized for his work.
“This was not something that I had in my plans so for me it is icing on the cake. I planned my career so, whatever your plans are, work hard at it and pursue it and never give up,” he said.
Kenneth Boothe, who received an Order of Distinction (OD) for contribution to Music, said the recognition was not only for him but was in honour of all who have given to the music industry. Recognized as one of Jamaica’s pre-eminent rock steady musical artistes, Ken Boothe’s career began in 1960, but it was not until 1964 that he emerged as a solo artist who captivated local audiences with his silky vocals and polished delivery. The other artiste honoured was reggae singer, Freddie McGregor, who received the OD for contribution to music.
Among those honoured for their contribution to Education were, Professor Barrington Chevannes, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of the West Indies (UWI); Norma Hope Darlington, former principal of Shortwood Teachers College; Dr. Ruby King, UWI Lecturer and 97 year-old Dorothy Robertson, former Principal of Oberlin High School, who all received ODs in the rank of Commander.

Last Updated: October 20, 2003

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