Left: WOLFE ...will act as Governor-General when Sir Howard Cooke retires on February 15. Right: COOKE ...imminent departure coincides with the upcoming retirement of Prime Minister P.J. Patterson. - FILE PHOTOS
AFTER SERVING as Governor-General for almost 15 years, Sir Howard Cooke is scheduled to retire in just under a month.
Sir Howard, the third native Governor-General, will be 91 years old in November. He began his political career in 1938 as a founding member of the People's National Party.
Sir Howard was preceded as Governor-General by Sir Kenneth Blackburn (1957-1962), Sir Clifford Campbell (1962-1973) and Sir Florizel Glasspole (1973-1991).
The Gleaner has been informed that Chief Justice Lensley Wolfe is to act as Governor-General when Sir Howard retires on February 15. Justice Paul Harrison will act as Chief Justice.
Sir Howard's imminent departure coincides with the upcoming retirement of Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, whom the Governor-General swore into office for the first time in March 1992- repeating the act three times subsequently.
Meanwhile, The Gleaner has learnt that the process of choosing a permanent successor to Sir Howard is in train.
Informed sources say the likely candidate will be selected from the private sector, and there have been indications that Karl Wright, the recently retired president of Victoria Mutual Building Society has been among those considered.
Wright currently chairs the Government-appointed board of enquiry into the dispute between Esso petroleum marketing company and the Jamaica Gasolene Retailers Association.
Sir Howard's career highlights
Founding member PNP - 1938
St. James representative W.I Federal Parliament - 1958
Entered Jamaican Parliament and served as Senator - 1962-1967
Member of the House of Representatives - 1967-1980
Minister of Government with portfolios of Pension and Security, Education, Public Service & Labour - 1972-1980
President of the Senate 1989-1991.
