At left, The Gleaner's Junior Dowie captures Edward Seaga (seated), outgoing leader of the opposition Jamaica Labour Party, signing the condolence book at Jamaica House in memory of the Hugh Lawson Shearer, a former Prime Minister of Jamaica, who died on Monday at his Hope Pastures home, St. Andrew. Looking on are Bruce Golding, chairman of the JLP, and Carla Seaga, wife of Mr. Seaga.
At right, The Gleaner's Norman Grindley captures Jamaica Defence Force soldiers marching past the Jamaican flag flying at half-mast yesterday at National Heroes' Park, central Kingston, as the country continues to mourn the death of former Prime Minister Hugh Shearer. Mr. Shearer, who died on Monday, July 5, will be buried in the park, following a state funeral on July 18 at the Roman Catholic Holy Trinity Cathedral, North Street, central Kingston.
ROBERT PICKERSGILL, chairman of the ruling People's National Party (PNP), yesterday hailed the life and work of former Prime Minister Hugh Shearer.
Mr. Pickersgill said that in the course of his five decades of distinguished public service, Mr. Shearer had mixed easily with those holding high office at home and abroad, but his central compass was rooted in the love for, and celebration of, humanity and he never lost the common touch.
"This illustrious son of Trelawny," Mr. Pickersgill said, "first made his mark throughout the length and breadth of Jamaica representing workers in their struggle for improved conditions, eventually being recognised as one of the giants of the trade union movement".
RIVALS
Indeed, said Mr. Pickersgill, the party recalled that Mr. Shearer and the Most Honourable Michael Manley, a former president of the National Workers' Union, the PNP and Prime Minister, had been rivals for more than two decades as the pre-eminent negotiators of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) and the National Workers' Union, the country's two major trade unions.
"Notwithstanding that rivalry, Hugh Lawson Shearer and Michael Manley were to collaborate to bring about fundamental improvements to the conditions which thousands of Jamaican workers had to endure in the sugar industry, the major employer of labour in the country," Mr. Pickersgill said.
He cited the extensive service given by Mr. Shearer in the political arena. He noted too that Mr. Shearer was renowned for his kindness, his civility and charming personality.
"Although passionately committed to the causes he championed, he accepted whatever setbacks he experienced in his two major areas of public service with grace," he said. "So it is that after leaving office in the political arena, he was to become an admired and respected elder statesman of the country."
Mr. Pickersgill said that Mr. Shearer lived a full life and gave of his very best to the people of Jamaica and the country and had left an indelible mark. He extended the PNP's "deepest sympathies to Mr. Shearer's wife, Dr. Denise Eldemire Shearer and his family, his colleagues and friends from the BITU, the Jamaica Labour Party and the wider society".
See more in Letters section.
