Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer

Governor-General of Jamaica, Professor Kenneth Hall (right), and Norma Walters, past chairman of the St. Ann Homecoming and Heritage Committee, present Harry Belafonte with the Congressional Citation from the U.S. Congress which was handed over at the committee's second annual banquet on Saturday. - Roger Robinson/Freelance Photographer

OCHO RIOS, St. Ann:

Harry Belafonte, legendary singer, actor and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, is urging the people of Jamaica to take the lead in the global campaign to clear national hero Marcus Garvey's name from any criminal charge.

He said that while Garvey was able to positively influence the lives of millions of people, including world leaders, his works and his good name were tainted by those who disliked him and his ideas.

"Marcus Garvey does not deserve that and it is only fitting that Jamaica should take the lead in changing this historical dishonor," Mr. Belafonte argued.

The UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador was delivering the keynote address at the annual awards banquet of the St. Ann Homecoming and Heritage Committee at Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort in Ocho Rios on Saturday night.

Garvey was convicted of mail fraud in the United States in 1925 and sentenced to five years imprisonment. He was released on a presidential pardon in 1927 and deported to Jamaica.

Campaign

For a number of years, United States Congressman Charles Rangel and other influential people have been mounting a campaign to have Garvey's name cleared of any criminal record and recently the St. Ann Homecoming Committee launched its own campaign by lobbying support from the government towards this effort. Since then Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has indicated that the government was giving serious consideration to this request.

In his address, Mr. Belafonte said that Garvey was a most honoured and dignified person and that it was never too late for a concerted effort to be made to have his criminal record expunged.

Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall who was a special guest at the banquet commended Mr. Bellafonte for his achievements as well as his humanitarian spirit. He also commended the St. Ann Homecoming committee for its foresight in trying to set straight historical facts on the life of Garvey, a distinguished son of St. Ann.

At the function which was chaired by public relations consultant David Ellis, the committee honoured four persons from St. Ann including Mr. Belafonte, for their outstanding achievements. The other honorees were - woman constable Lorna Small, medical practitioner, Dr. Derrick McDowell and dental surgeon, Dr. John McDowell. Chairman of the homecoming committee, Herbert Murdock, said proceeds from Saturday night's banquet will go towards the establishment of a resource centre to be built in St. Ann's Bay to celebrate the life and work of Garvey.