THE EDITOR, Sir:
I MUST record the pleasure I had in reading of the conferment of our national honour, The Order of Jamaica, on Karl Hendrickson.
It is about time that Jamaicans be given the chance of gleaning inspiration from the life and success of this remarkable Jamaican.
I first met Karl some 30-odd years ago when we "faced off" in a trade union dispute at National Continental Foods, his flagship company. It did not take long for my then young and irascible mind to recognise that this man was indeed "no ordinary Jamaican". The fact that he was able to accept and treat with my petulance was not only disarming, but gave me my first push towards maturity as a trade union functionary.
Over the years I have had many opportunities to sit with him in discussion on a wide-ranging number of topics. I have always come away from these 'sessions' with renewed motivation, stimulation and encouragement, firmly convinced that his, must be one of the finest minds to exist on earth.
There are not many Jamaican entrepreneurs who continue to demonstrate his high regard for the welfare and development of workers. Indeed, the respect with which his employees treat him should be a lesson for all those who would seek to deprive workers of their just rewards.
The conferment of our national honour on Karl Hendrickson is well-deserved. He is one Jamaican that I am proud to call 'Ho-nourable'. My only regret is that it is not an honour, which commensurately recognises his wife.
I am, etc.,
DWIGHT A. NELSON, O.D.
VP of BITU
nelsond@n5.com.jm
