On this National Heroes’ Day, it is welcome news that the current records of three of our national heroes, who had been punished because of their freedom-fighting activities, will be expunged from Jamaica’s criminal records.

In addressing the House of Representatives last Wednesday, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport Olivia “Babsy” Grange said: “The legacy that we honour and celebrate during heritage week is a direct result of the selfless acts of our country’s six named national heroes.”

She shared that the Cabinet had approved “drafting instructions in respect of legislation which will cause the expungement of the criminal records of notable freedom fighters, national heroes, supporters, sympathisers and participants by association who were involved in the 1760 Chief Tacky’s St Mary rebellion, the 1831-32 Christmas rebellion, the 1865 Morant Bay rebellion, and the 1929 campaign of the People’s Political Party”.

She noted that, “Our national heroes, Paul Bogle, Samuel Sharpe and Marcus Garvey, as well as our ancestral hero Tacky, will be those directly affected by this legislation when it comes into being.”

Marcus Mosiah Garvey, our first named national hero had much to say about this struggle over centuries. We have a treasury of his quotations in a compilation by the late Jamaican author Ken Jones, Marcus Garvey Said … Up You Mighty Race! You Can Accomplish What You Will.

I wish to share some quotes from Marcus Garvey and I hope readers will share them with others.

In response to this move for the expungement of his criminal record, I quote what he said to the US court when he was arrested unjustly for mail fraud: “I am still firm that I served my race, people, conscience and God…If you say I am guilty, I go to my God as I feel, a clear conscience and a clean soul.”

MARCH PEN MASSACRE

On October 9, five people of one family, including three children, were shot and burnt to death as a result of an alleged internal gang feud, in the March Pen Road community of St Catherine. The “person of interest” was brought in by a pastor on Wednesday. As we learn about the records of this person and his alleged rival for leadership of a notorious gang, we must realise how urgent it is to make our security intelligence and justice system more efficient.

Some of these gangs are vicious extortionists who have taxi drivers, market vendors and micro businesses in fear for their lives if they do not pay ‘protection money’.

Garvey: “I pray to God that we shall never use our physical prowess to oppress the human race, but we will use our strength, physically, morally and otherwise, to preserve humanity and civilisation.”

PHILANTHROPY REWARDED

It was a special joy to learn that the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) ,whose board comprises past and present esteemed US ambassadors to Jamaica and other friends, have bestowed the AFJ Hummingbird Award for philanthropy and business on National Baking Company chairman, and patron of the National Baking Company Foundation, Gary “Butch” Hendrickson.

The AFJ’s citation lists his titles, but only those of us who know him well will understand the stratospheric generosity of this passionate Jamaican. Yes, he is chairman and chief executive officer of Continental Baking Company Limited and Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa in St Lucia. He also chairs the board of the EXIM Bank, is a vice-president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, and a member of the board of directors of the Bank of Jamaica and Rainforest Seafoods.

Remarkably, this in-demand leader has devoted much of his time to mentorship and has ploughed hundreds of millions into early childhood education projects. He was the major sponsor of Crayons Count, and recently launched his National Baking Company Foundation, and has committed millions to the Little Leaders programme, including a well-equipped mobile classroom. Even as he is working at this, Butch is constantly upgrading his manufacturing and distribution facilities, training, promoting, and affirming his team members.

He is always deflecting praise, but over the past six years, 27 new manufacturers have been bowled over by his Bold Ones of Manufacturing programme, which has provided them with fully paid marketing programmes, catapulting some to Jamaica Stock Exchange listing and to overseas markets. Butch insists that, without his faithful team members and customers, he would have accomplished little. This humility has been passed on by his legendary parents, Karl and Nell Hendrickson, who are themselves icons of entrepreneurship and nation-building.

Garvey: “There is a world of opportunities awaiting us, and it is for us, through unity of will and of purpose, to say we shall and we will play our part upon the great human stage of activity.”

HONOUR FOR OUR OLYMPIANS

We welcome the news that the Government of Jamaica will be giving substantial rewards to our shining athletes who lifted the psyche of Jamaicans here and abroad as they triumphed with six gold, three silver and two bronze medals at the Rio Olympics earlier this year.

We applaud all athletes who qualified to make the team and deem them worthy of the prizes being offered by the Government.

The critics should know how Jamaicans live with their families, and that the $82 million will be ploughed right back into our economy, improving the lives of the athletes and their families.

Garvey: “Unite your hands and hearts… and let us reach out to the highest idealism that there is in living, thereby demonstrating to others… that we are ambitious, virtuous, noble and proud.”

CONGRATULATIONS ON NATIONAL HONOURS

We join with all Jamaica in saluting the over 200 recipients of national honours and awards who will be celebrated at this morning’s ceremony at King’s House. It is no coincidence that, despite our challenges, there is still so much positivity and optimism in our country. It is because we still have these people of excellence who are not giving up on their country and continue to give us standards to which we should all aspire.

Garvey: “With sterling character you can destroy a world and rebuild it, you can go down to the depths and then rise to the heights.”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HUBIE!

Please allow me to wish my dear husband, Hubie Chin, a very Happy Birthday today. I do not send off this column without his ‘final read’. Bless him for his patience, devotion to his family and unstinting support.

lowriechin@aim.com

www.lowriechin.blogspot.com