Senate Pays Tribute to Hugh Hart

Members of the Senate today (April 17) paid tribute to the late former Senator, Hugh Hart, who served in the Upper House between 1980 and 1993.

Mr. Hart, who also served as Minister of Mining and Energy between 1983 and 1989 and Minister of Tourism between 1984 and 1989, passed away on Thursday (April 17).

In her remarks, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, affirmed that Mr. Hart was a distinguished former minister and a well-respected member of Jamaica’s legal fraternity.

“He was a giant who served his country and his party well. He served with great pride and competence in a wide range of issues, including across the public and private sectors. His skills as an attorney are well-renowned and were well-renowned beyond Jamaica’s shores, such that his loss is grieved,” Senator Johnson Smith said.

She stated that Mr. Hart’s passing is noted as a tremendous loss to Jamaica and the region, as he was a legal luminary, private-sector leader, and an accomplished and shrewd policymaker whose skill at his craft was noteworthy and impactful.

“He was a director and former chairman of Jamaica Flower Mills, former chairman of Carrera’s Group, the Jamaica Bauxite Institute, the Bauxite and Alumina Trading Company, PCJ… . He did so much, and he gave also with a willing heart,” Senator Johnson Smith shared.

For his part, President of the Senate, Hon. Tom Tavares-Finson, acknowledged Mr. Hart, who also co-founded the Hart Muirhead Fatta law firm, for his contribution to development of Jamaica.

The Senate also noted the passing of Jamaican singer and songwriter, Ernie Smith, who died on April 16.

Their acknowledgement came on the heels of a tribute to Mr. Smith, who was born Glenroy Anthony Michael Archangelo Smith, from Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness.

In a statement, Dr. Holness praised Mr. Smith’s unmistakable voice and powerful storytelling, while noting that his contribution to Jamaican music is profound and his legacy will continue to echo in the hearts of Jamaicans everywhere.

“From his emergence in the late 1960s and 1970s, he established himself as one of our most gifted songwriters and performers, earning admiration both at home and across the world,” Dr. Holness said.

He added that Ernie Smith gave Jamaica timeless songs like ‘Life is Just for Living’, ‘Duppy or Gunman’, and ‘Pitta Patta’.