WESTERN BUREAU — Representatives from the political and business sectors turned out in force, Thursday night, at the launch of Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke’s biography at the Wyndham Rose Hall Resort and Country Club.

The book, entitled “They Call Me Teacher — The Life and Times of Sir Howard Cooke” was previously launched at his King’s House residence.

The night’s guest speaker and chairman of the Broadcasting Commission, Dr Simon Clarke, said the book was written in “racy and comprehensive language that everyone can read”.

And he lauded Cooke’s “outstanding contribution to education”.

During his tenure as member of parliament, between 1972 and 1980, Sir Howard built a number of institutions including:

* the Montego Bay Community College,

* Sam Sharpe Teacher’s College,

* Herbert Morrison Technical High School,

* Catherine Hall Primary School,

* Glendevon All Age and Howard Cooke Primary schools.

In his response the governor-general thanked those who had supported him during his many years in both his private and public life, including his wife of 64 years, Lady Ivy Cooke.

Sir Howard, the island’s third native governor-general since 1991, was a teacher for 23 years and a founding member of the People’s National Party. He was born in 1915.

“I think there is hardly anybody who knows the social, political and educational evolution of Jamaica as I do,” he responded, when asked why he wanted to write a book.

The book launch was sponsored by Capital and Credit Merchant Bank, which will open a branch in Montego Bay in July.