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NATIO A
The Most HonourableHugh Lawson Shearer, ON, OJMay 18, 1923 July 05, 2004-
IIis Jamaica today is our country. Ittook us years to struggle to earn theright to become Jamaicans, and nowthat we are our own people and no longer subjectsof others we can no longer shelve our identity byhiding among the nationals in other societies.T"Where there is no pride there can be no glory,where there is no identity there can be nosatisfaction in accomplishments."Here in this country, every Jamaican can lookaround him and see the things that he and otherJamaicans have built, and be proud of them. Here,we are part of our earth, part of our society, part ofthe events which take place everyday, part of thepeople we live among, part of the progress anddevelopments that are changing the shape of ourcountry; and we can identify ourselves with thesethings and feel a sense of satisfaction in these ouraccomplishments."Nowhere else in this wide world can this prideand satisfaction be a part of us."The Most Honourable Hugh Lawson ShearerExcerpt from an address toVere Technical High SchoolThe Most HonourableHugh Lawson Shearer,ON, OJ(May 18, 1923- July 05, 2004)1
His father, James Shearer, was a World War Iex-serviceman; and his mother, Esther Lindo,was a dressmaker.THE MOST HONOURABLEHUGH LAWSON SHEARER, ON, OJMay 18, 1923 -July 05,2004.,The Most Honourable Hugh Lawson Shearer,ON, OJ exerted robust energies andcommitment to Jamaica over his more than sixdecades as a nation-builder. Mr. ness and courage: characteristicsthat commended him to national, regional andinternational governments and institutions.Also as Prime Minister, Trade Union Leaderand politician his passion and panache leadhim to carve indelible inroads in local,regional and international spheres."Our future depends on service and hardwork. We have not only to maintain ourpolitical and economic stability but we musttake our successes and multiply them andbuild up a momentum of force and strength and goodwill too - that will move themountains of our problems." (The Most Hon.Hugh Shearer in his first broadcast to the nation asPrime Minister, 1967)Mr. Shearer's belief and commitment to hardwork are borne out in the testimony of richlegacy he has left behind from which allJamaica, and indeed the entire world, canbenefit.The Most HonourableA MAN OF HUMBLE BEGINNINGSHugh Lawson Shearer,ON, OJ(May 18, 1923- July 05, 2004)2The Most Honourable Hugh Lawson Shearer,ON, OJ, Jamaica's third Prime Minister, was bornat Martha Brae, Trelawny on May 18, 1923. He attended Falmouth Elementary School,and distinguished himself in 1936 by winningthe Trelawny Parish Scholarship, whichearned him a place at St. Simon's College, aprivately owned high school in Kingston. Hegraduated from St. Simon's in 1940.Immediately following his studies, he wasrecruited as assistant to Mr. Lynden G.Newland, editor of the 'The Jam aicanWorker', the official newspaper of theBustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU).He rose to be editor of the paper, and becamea protege of National Hero The RightExcellent Sir Alexander Bustamante, after hisrelease from detention in 1942.Mr. Shearer joined the BITU at a period ofintense political and labour turmoil inJamaica.Sir Alexander Bustamante, theundisputed head of the labor movement andfounder of the BITU and National Hero TheRight Excellent Norman Manley, head of thefirst organized political party in Jamaica- ThePeople's National Party - were both engagedin the struggle to reshape and redefineJamaican society in the period 1938 - 1944.Hugh Shearer's position as a trainee journalistat the Jamaica Worker marked the beginningof his illustrious career in the trade unionmovement.As trainee journalist, heunderstudied Mr. Newland until he assumedthe position of General Secretary of the BITU.The Most HonourableHugh Lawson Slzearer,ON, OJ(May 18, 1923- July 05, 2004)3
Mr. Shearer continued working on the paperand eventually became its editor.TRADE UNIONIST"Our trade union movement has not onlypreserved the rights and liberties of the workingman and his family, but has also made a majorcontribution to the re-distribution of theresources and incomes produced in the society.Indeed, the trade union movement is probablymore advanced and more developed in Jamaicathan in any other country in this area of theworld. I am now telling all Jamaica that ourcountry owes a great deal of gratitude to thetrade union movement for the preservation ofour democratic rights." (The Most Hon. HughIn 1948, he attended a Colonial Developmentand Welfare Trade Union Scholarship coursein Barbados.-.His quick grasp of facts, speaking ability andaffability made him a master organizer andnegotiator, rising through the ranks to becomeVice-President and Island Supervisor until thedeath of Sir Alexander Bustamante in 1978,after which he became President General.His achievements as a Trade Unionist arenumerous. Shearer) W hile still editor of the paper, Mr. Shearerbegan to serve his apprenticeship as a tradeunionist.He took part with AlexanderBustamante and other union officers in unionorganization and in negotiations withemployers in some of the most importantlabour disputes. Mr. Shearer got his first tasteof party politics during the 1944 elections,when he campaigned for the "Chief", asBustamante was then popularly called, in theWestern Kingston constituency. The JamaicaLabour Party won the election and Mr. Shearercontinued his work in the BITU. T11e Most HonourableHugh Lawson Sltearer,(May 18,ON, OJ1923- July 05, 2004)4Three years later in 1947, Mr. Shearer wasappointed Assistant General Secretary of theUnion, and in that same year, contested andwon the Central St. Andrew seat on theKingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC)Council.He has been a member of Joint IndustrialCouncils for all major industries sincethese were first established in Jamaica.He negotiated the first island-wideagreement for paid maternity leave (withthe Sugar Manufacturers Association).In 1977 he organized the major expansionof trade unionism into the middle classwhen he won the rights for employees ofthe Bank of Nova Scotia.He was the founding President of the JointTrade Union Research and DevelopmentInstitute, the co-ordinating body for themajor trade unions.He pioneered educational benefits for theworkers in sugar cane industry and otheremployees.Through all these offices, he retained aposition of leadership at the BITU, and neverwavered from his first commitment to thewell-being of the Jamaican worker.The Most HonourableHugh Lawson Shearer,(May 18,ON, OJ1923- July 05, 2004)5
In 1994, Mr. Shearer, then president of theJamaica Confederation of Trade Unions(JCTU) distinguished himself by mergingeleven leading trade unions into a single body.That same year, the JCTU staged a conferenceon the North American Free Trade Area(NAFTA) to which were invited leadingAmerican trade union representatives.The Sunday Gleaner report states:"The JCTU prepared a thoroughly researchedpaper on trade policy and need for socialclauses in trade agreements.Shearercautioned on the danger of goods produced inmarkets that used child and prison labour.The JCTU under Shearer's leadership showedthe value of a pro-active approach to tradeand was an example for the private sector tofollow in doing homework and to prepare fortrade issues in a professional way" (SundayGleaner, January 8, 1995; page 10).POLITICAL LIFEIn 1947, at age 24, he was successful inwinning a seat on the KSAC Council contestedunder Universal Suffrage. In 1949 he lost theGeneral Elections in Western Kingston.In 1951, at 28 years, having completed a coursein trade unionism in Barbados, he wasappointed to the Legislative Council, theUpper House of the Legislature.The Most HonourableHugh Lawson Shearer,ON, OJ(May 18, 1923- July 05, 2004)6In 1955 he was successful in his secondattempt at national representation bycapturing the Western Kingston Constituency,and serving as an Opposition member.His representations were always gearedtowards the improvement of the rights of theworkers, the under-privileged, children andwomen.Mr. Shearer vigorously lobbied against theformation of the Federation of the British WestIndies in the Referendum Campaign in 1961.The people of Jamaica voted againstFederation and for Independence.T heJamaica Labour Party won the next generalelections and this stalwart Jamaican wasappointed to Jamaica's first Senate in 1962,and served as Deputy Chief of Mission to theUnited Nations.In 1963 he introduced a landmark resolutionat the United Nations calling for greateremphasis on human rights, and moved aresolution calling for a year to be dedicated tothis cause. His submission to the UnitedNations was his first address to theinternational body."If the world can benefit as it did from anInternational Geophysical Year- and many ofthe spectacular achievements we are nowwitnessing are a direct result of the effort then surely we may expect that out of aworldwide human rights campaign there maycome some equally spectacular gains in man'srelationship to man."I propose, therefore, that the United Nation'sconcern in this area be intensified through anInternational Year for Human Rights." (TheMost Hon. Hugh Shearer, 1963)Mr. Shearer's proposal was approved, and1968 was celebrated "International HumanRights Year"- a stellar achievement for one ofthe organization's newest members.The Most HonourableHugh Lawson Shearer,ON, OJ(May 18, 1923- July 05, 2004)7
He was successfully returned to Parliament in1972, 1976, 1980 and 1989, and established alarge industrial complex at Hayes, whileseeing to the expansion of Vere Technical Hi.ghSchool, one of the top producers of femaleathletes in the world. After the JLP lost theelections of 1972, he returned to tradeunionism with vigour, and successfullymoved in Parliament for the minimum age forvoting to be reduced from 21 to 18 years, andfor compulsory maternity leave payments tobe made by all employers.FOREIGN AFFAIRSIn 1980 when the JLP was returned to power,Mr. Shearer became the first Prime Minister toserve under another, and he performed withdistinction as Minister of Foreign Affairs andDeputy Prime Minister until 1989.Committed to the ideal of the economic andsocial well-being of the people of this Region,Mr. Shearer will also be remembered for hisparticipation in the ACP /EU negotiations ofthe Lome Conventions, through which Europegranted assistance to developing countries ofAfrica, the Caribbean and the Pacific. He wasnoted for using his renowned negotiatingskills to resolve issues within the ACPincluding those related to staff welfare, muchto the enduring satisfaction of all.IThe Most HonourableHugh Lawson Shearer,ON, OJ(May 18, 1923- July 05, 2004)8In his role as elder statesman, his was alwaysa voice of toleration and compromise,stressing the need for improvements for theworking class and the under-privileged.PRIME MINISTER"The purpose of this Government is prosperityfor all. Our purpose is not to build Jamaica inthe image of a chosen few. We recognize thatyou chose us to represent you all and togovern you all, and nothing will budge is fromthe duty and responsibility of working for thegood of every Jamaican."The interest of this Government and thenation is one and indivisible, and we intend toapply ourselves to cementing this interest sothat our voice will be your voice, our actions,your actions and our successes, the success ofall the people of Jamaica." (The Most Hon.Hugh Shearer)In 1967 Mr. Shearer succeeded Sir AlexanderBustamante as Member of Parliament forSouthern Clarendon, and on the death of SirDonald Sangster in April, he was elected bytheJamaicaLabourParty(JLP)parliamentarians to be Prime Minister. Healso served as Minister of Defence and ForeignAffairs.Described as a 'dynamo' for the social anddevelopmenteconomicprogrammesundertaken in the 1960s, he directed hisgovernment on a path to attract newinvestments and expand existing industriesand services.Additionally, Mr. Shearer worked at wideningtraining programmes to meet the increaseddemand for skilled labour and professionalposts.The Most HonourableHugh Lawson Shearer,ON, OJ(May 18,1923- July 05, 2004)9
During his tenure a s Prime Minister, Jamaicaattained its highest ever-gross domesticproduct (GDP) per capita- US 2,300- basedon rapid growth in agriculture, mining apdtourism.reflection of their close interest in, and theirawareness of, the programmes of expansion inour educational system. It is a demonstrationof. the fact that human ambition is satisfiedonly with the best." (The Most Han. HughShearer)He also started a system of major highways,the first being the Kingston to Spanish TownHighway, and laid the plans for other by-passroutes, which would remove bottlenecks in allmajor towns.During this period, the country's largestalumina refinery, Alpart, was built in St.Elizabeth; in Trelawny the first conventionhotel, Trelawny Beach, was constructed; and,in Ocho Rios a new beach with a complex ofover 1,000 rooms, the largest such complex inJamaica at that time, was built. In Kingston,the old, clogged, inefficient waterfront wasclosed, and the port moved to a new area andrenamed Port Bustamante."Leaders of political parties, do not in thefinal analysis, belong only to their politicalparty. The leaders respect each other. Eachhas, and expresses pride in the other'sachievements. These examples should befollowed by our young men and women.Parliament belongs to all of us. Our leaders,too, belong to the nation." (The Most Han.Hugh Shearer)EDUCATIONThe Most HonourableHugh Lawson Shearer,ON, OJ(May 18, 1923- July 05,102004)"The national interest in education today, isan indication of the personal involvement ofour people in the social and culturaldevelopment of their children, and it is also aMr. Shearer had a special interest in education,and courtesy of the Canadian InternationalDevelopment Agency (CIDA), he was able tomake marked improvements to the existingsystem, under the New Deal EducationProgramme. The New Deal Programme wasdesigned to provide a sound education forevery child in Jamaica, and, for the first time,the prospect of a totally educated populationbecame a real possibility."It is our belief that every Jamaican deservesthe best possible education within hisindividual capacity and within the capacityof the country to provide the necessaryeducational facilities. That is why thisGovernment is proud of its New DealEducation Programme, the purpose of whichis to make education available to everyone, inevery parish of this country." (The Most Han.Hugh Shearer)In the first loan to education by the World Bankin the Western hemisphere, 60 JuniorSecondary Schools were built.Thisprogramme gave Jamaica the distinction ofbeing one of the first non-European countriesto have 100% capacity for all children ofprimary school age, and provided secondaryplaces for over 70%. (The Junior Secondaryand many of the primary schools have all sincebeen upgraded to full high school status).The Most HonourableHugh Lawso!l Shearer,ON, OJ(May 18,1923- July 05, 2004)11
This had been one of Mr. Shearer's dreams,since in his youth, less than five percent of thechildren had access to secondary schooling,and education was used as a means of so ialand economic discrimination.and production attitudes to internationalstandards. The rest of the world cannot bemarching left foot forward first, whileJamaica remains the odd man out, marchingright foot forward first.FINAL YEARS"We have no vast inexhaustible naturalresources of things material. Our wealthcomes from the talents and skills of ourpeople, and we must develop and train thesetalents and skills, and then apply these newlydeveloped talents and skills to develop theeconomic and social conditions of our countrywiththeknowledgeofpersonalunderstanding." (The Most Hon. Hugh Shearer)He retired from active public life in 1993 afterserving in both Houses for 29 years, with asingle break, 1959- 1962. In 1968 he was madea Privy Councillor by the Queen, and he wasawarded the Doctor of Laws, honoris causadegree, by Howard University in 1968 and theUWI in 1994.The Most Honourable Hugh Lawson Shearerwas fearless in his attempts to developJamaica and having youth, a strongpersonality and forceful leadership skills onhis side, he charted several courses for hiscountry. Through his actions, he lifted themorale of every Jamaican and propelled themtowards believing each one had a stake in theadvancement in the present, and the ultimatesuccess in the future of this country- Jamaicaland we love.The Most HonourableHugh Lawson Shearer,ON, OJ(May 18, 1923 -July 05, 2004)12"I speak with passion about the future of mycountry, for I am anxious that every Jamaicanmust become fully aware of the urgency of thetimes in which we exist. Today, with the paceof technological advancement, and with thespeed with which methods of application arechanging and advancing, man's ingenuity ismaking man's achievements obsolete at a fastrate. Jamaica cannot afford to stand apart,and not identify itself and adjust its methodsMr. Shearer is survived by his wife Dr. DeniseEldemire Shearer; sons, Howard and Lance;and daughters, Hope, Hillary and Heather.Jamaica Information ServiceJuly 2004The Most HonourableHugh Lawson Shearer,ON, OJ(May 18, 1923 - July 05,132004)
MILESTONESTRIBUTES1941-1946- Journalist, Jamaican Worker newspaper1947- Assistant General Secretary, BustamanteIndustrial Trade union (BITU)1947 -1951- Member, Kingston and St. AndrewCorporation1947- Awarded Colonial Development and WelfareTrade Union Scholarship1953- Island Supervisor, Bustamante Industrial TradelOn the passing of The Most Hon. HughLg.wson Shearer former Prime Minister, therewas a large outpouring of sympathy frompeople worldwide. Locally the political andtrade union leaders have expressed theirsympathy in tribute to this Jamaican whoserved his country well. Following are someof the tributes that have been distributed inthe media.Union1966 - Member, Jamaican delegation at theA GREAT LEADER OF OUR TIMESCommonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference1967- 1993- Member of Parliament, SouthernClarendon1967- 1972 -Prime Minister of Jamaica1977- President, Bustamante Industrial Trade Union(BITU)1980 -1986- Minister of Foreign Affairs and ForeignTrade1986 -1989- Minister of Foreign Affairs and ForeignThe Most Honourable Hugh Lawson Shearer,ON, OJ, was one of the great leaders of ourtime. He was very profound, full ofknowledge, yet never bumptious or arrogant.W hether it was at the United Nations or somesmall meeting in the village, he was a leaderwho impressed all those around him. He wasone of those persons who was so blessed thathe was comfortable whether he was withroyalty or the sugar worker.Govemor-Ge11eralHis Excellency Tile Most Hon.Sir Howard Felix Ha11la11 Cooke,ON, GCMG, GCVO, CDTrade, Industry and Commerce1990- T he Order of Jamaica1992- Chairman, Joint Trade Unions ResearchDevelopment Centre1993- Founder and Patron Association of SeniorCitizens Clubs1994- President, Jamaica Confed'eration of Trade Unions1994- Conferred with the Honorary Degree of Laws byThe Most HonourableHugh Lawson Shearer,ON, OJ(May 18, 1923- July 05, 2004)14the University of the West Indies (UWI)1998- Married Dr. Denise Eldernire2002- T he Order of the NationWith unusual tolerance he would examineevery problem presented to him and youcould rely on him for objectivity. On manyoccasions I sought his advice, particularlywhen I was Minister of Labour. At each timehe showed how much he was full ofknowledge, always ready to expresscompassion towards the worker.As one of the first Prime Ministers ofIndependent Jamaica, Mr. Shearer did much toadvance the upward social mobility of ourpeople and country and this was particularlyThe Most HonourableHugh Lawson Shearer,ON, OJ(May 18, 1923- July 05, 2004)15
evident in his programme on school building,which broadened the accessibility to personsfrom all levels of society. He did much also toimprove on the country's infrastructure,primarily its roadways and saw to thestrengthening of its economic base.Personally, I have lost a great friend and thenation, one of its finest leaders. Lady Cookeand I extend heartfelt condolences to Dr.Denise Eldemire Shearer, his children andindeed his entire family.His ExcellencyThe Most Hon. Sir Howard Felix Hanlan CookeGovernor-General of JamaicaCHAMPION OF WORKERS' RIGHTSI have been deeply saddened by the news ofthe passing of former Prime Minister ofJamaica, the Most Hon. Hugh Lawson Shearer.Indeed, Jamaica and the entire Caribbeanregion will be plunged into mourning by hisdeparture.Prime Minister,The Most HonourableP. J. Patterson,ON, PC, QC, MPTI1e Most HonourableHugh Lawson Shearer,ON, OJ(May 18, 1923- july 05, 2004)18The news of his passing came as CARICOMHeads gathered at Grand Anse, Grenada forthe 25th Regular Meeting of Heads. It alsocomes at a time when the region was alreadymourning the passing of Sir George Charles,the first Chief Minister of St. Lucia.It is a reflection of the high esteem in whichMr. Shearer and Sir George Charles are heldthat Heads of Government paid their respectfor the contribution of these two Caribbeanstalwarts, by observing a moment of silence intheir honour.Hugh Shearer, who was involved in theregional integration movement in the earlyyears, later represented CARICOM at tradenegotiations with Europe and the ACP.He served Jamaica with honour anddistinction as Prime Minister and for aconsiderable period was the country's ForeignMinister.He was widely acknowledged as the doyen ofTrade Union Leaders throughout theCaribbean. He championed the rights ofworkers through the trade union movementwhich he led with conviction and totaldevotion for many years.Former Prime Minister Shearer's passing is forme a tremendous personal loss. I will miss hisfriendship greatly. His death has deprivedJamaica of a quintessential nationalist anddedicated political leader.Mr. Shearer was beloved by Jamaicans from allwalks of life. He will always be rememberedas one who could tower above the partisandivide when the demand for unity in actionwas required.I extend condolence to his widow, his entirefamily, the Bustamante Trade Union and hismany colleagues in the labour movement andthe Jamaica Labour Party.The Most Hon. P. J. PattersonPrime Minister of JamaicaThe Most HonourableHugh Lawson Shearer,ON, OJ(May 18, 1923- July 05, 2004)19
A GENTLE GIANTThe Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) announceswith deep regret the passing of former Pril;:neMinister, the Most Honourable Hugh LawsonShearer, ON, OJ. He died at his home in HopePastures this morning after a prolongedillness.Leader of the OppositionThe Most HonourableEdward Seaga,ON, PC, MPMr. Shearer served Jamaica as Prime Ministerfrom 1967-72, succeeding Sir Donald Sangsterwho passed away in April 1967 after a suddenillness.Mr. Shearer was a gentle giant straddling thetrade union movement and holding the reinsof government, the two pillars of Jamaica'smodern history. He served as a ParishCouncillor in the Kingston & St. AndrewCorporation (KSAC) in 1947-51 and a Memberof Parliament for West Kingston, 1955-59, andlater for South Eastern Clarendon, 1967-93. Heserved also as Senator in the interveningyears.His seminal achievement as Prime Ministerwas the expansion of the secondary schoolsystem in Jamaica by doubling the number ofinstitutions with the addition of 60 newsecondary schools.The Most HonourableThis opened the gate to secondary educationfor thousands of young Jamaicans whoseeducation previously ended at the All AgeSchool post-primary level.Hugh Lawson Shearer,ON, OJ(May 18, 1923 -July 05, 2004)20In 1963, Hugh Shearer in g1vmg Jamaica'scountry statement to the United Nationspresented a proposal for 1968 to be declaredHuman Rights Year. The proposal wasaccepted.A life long advocate of workers rights, inkeeping with the traditions of the BustamanteIndustrial Trade Union (BITU) and theJamaica Labour Party, Hugh Lawson Shearerascended to the pinnacle of the trade unionmovement when, with the complete supportof all trade unions, he was elected Chairmanof the Joint Trade Unions Research Centre in1992, a position from which he retired thisyear.Hugh Shearer, despite his enormous authorityand power, was a humble man who neverforgot his roots and never failed to use hishigh office in protection of the poor anddisadvantaged.A captivating personality, his raucous laughterand strong advocacy will always ring in thestaterooms and boardrooms where withconsummate negotiating skills, he foundsolutions to the most difficult problems as hebrought each argument to a close with astatement of finality.The Jamaica Labour Party grieves the passingof our elder statesman, our friend, our leader.We express the deepest sorrow to his familyand appreciation to his widow Dr. DeniseEldermire for the long and dedicated personalcare she gave to her husband in his final years.The Most HonourableHugh Lawson Shearer,The Most Hon. Edward SeagaLeader of the OppositionON, OJ(May 18, 1923 - July 05, 2004)21
A SAD MOMENT FOR JAMAICAThe Government and people of Jamaica regretthe passing of the Most Hon. Hugh LawsonShearer, former Prime Minister of Jamaica andPresident-GeneraloftheBustamanteIndustrial Trade Union (BITU).Dr. The HonourablePeter Phillips, MPIn expressing condolence to his widow, Dr.Denise Eldemire-Shearer and other membersof his family on behalf of the government, Dr.Peter Phillips, in his capacity as the Minister In-Charge of the Government in the absence ofPrime Minister P. J. Patterson, said Mr. Shearerhas had a great career as a trade unionist andpolitician who was loved and appreciated byall Jamaicans.Dr. Phillips said on the instruction of thePrime Minister who is attending theCARICOM Heads of Government Conferencein Grenada, that Mr. Shearer be accorded astate funeral.Mr. Hugh Lawson Shearer was a central figurein the early chapters of Jamaican politicalhistory in which the Bustamante IndustrialTrade Union emerged as one of the leadingtrade unions in the country.The Most HonourableHugh Lawson Shearer,ON, OJ(May 18, 1923- July 05, 2004)22His role in the political life of the countrythrough the Jamaica Labour Party was equallyexemplary. He was selected as a candidate forthe JLP in the Local Government Elections of1947 and served as Member of Parliament forWest Kingston from 1949 to 1955. Mr. Shearercontinued his political career representing theconstituency of South East Clarendon from1967 to 1993. He also served as Prime Ministerbetween 1967 and 1972.Beyond Jamaica's shores, Hugh Shearer waswell known and respected in the worldcommunity. He was a formidable foe againstthe apartheid regimes of South Africa andRhodesia and at times led the Commonwealthand international bodies in the fight to removethese two countries from the councils of theworld.His was a great Jamaican life in which hemade a remarkable contribution to nationaldevelopment. We offer condolences to hiswidow and family.Dr. The Hon. Peter PhillipsMinister of National SecurityOn behalf of the Government & people of JamaicaDISTINGUSHED SON OF JAMAICAIt is with regret and deep sorrow that I havereceived the news of the passing of the MostHonourable, Hugh Lawson Shearer, ON, OJ,former Prime Minister, and Minister ofForeign Affairs and Foreign Trade, championof the labour movement in Jamaica and a trueStatesman of the Caribbean.The HonourableK. D. Knight, MPWe in this Ministry are particularly saddenedas Mr. Shearer having delivered Jamaica's firstPolicy Statement to the United Nations in 1962shortly after Independence, had been closelyassociatedwiththeForeignServicethroughout his career in Government.The Most HonourableHugh Lawson Shearer,ON, OJ(May 18, 1923- July 05, 2004)23
With over sixty years of public service, thecontribution of this distinguished son ofJamaica to national and regional y been a landmark in the political,economic and social history of ouradvancement. Mr. Shearer's political, career ofalmost forty years equipped him with awealth of experience and knowledge whichenabled him to tackle not only local andregional issues, but to confront present andemerging challenges on the internationalstage, representing the interests of smalldeveloping countries fearlessly and withdistinction.In this regard, his powerful advocacy forhuman rights, culminating in his initiative for1968 to be declared International HumanRights Year, will long be remembered in theUnited Nations as one of the major catalyststowards the promotion of fundamentalfreedoms and self-determination worldwide.His affable personality, forceful oratory andcontagious sense of humour will be sadlymissed. Our deepest expressions of sympathyto Denise, his wife, and his family. May hissoul rest in peace.The Hon. K. D. KnightMinister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign TradeJAMAICAN PATRIOTVice Chancellor of The University of the WestIndies (UW I), Professor the Hon. RexNettleford, has expressed sorrow at thepassing of former Prime Minister, The MostHon. Hugh Lawson Shearer, who died todayat the age of 81.Professor Nettleford received the news of thedeath of Mr. Shearer's death while attendingthe meeting of the CARICOM Heads ofGovernment in St. George's Grenada anddelivered the following statement on behalf ofthe University.Vice Chancellorof The UniversitlJof the West Indies,Professor the HonourableRex Nettleford, OMThe passing of the Most Honourable HughLawson Shearer, former Prime Minister ofJamaica and trade unionist extraordinaire, is ahuge loss for Jamaica and the region.Hiscontribution to the development of the tradeuni ?n movement in the English-speakingCanbbean was extremely important. Thesupport and encouragement he gave to theTrade Union Education Institute at theUniversity of the West Indies, in particular,and also to the establishment of the JointConfederation of Trade Unions as well as t
Hugh Lawson Shearer, ON, OJ (May 18, 1923-July 05, 2004) 2 THE MOST HONOURABLE HUGH LAWSON SHEARER, ON, OJ May 18, 1923 -July 05, 2004 ., The Most Honourable Hugh Lawson Shearer, ON, OJ exerted robust energies and commitment to Jamaica over his more than six decades as a nation-builder. Mr. Shearer approached his responsibilities with
