Several members of the political directorate and political supporters converged on the grounds of National Heroes Park in Kingston on Saturday, July 4, to pay homage to late national hero and founder of the People's National Party (PNP), The Right Excellent Norman Washington Manley on the 127th anniversary of his birth.
Organized by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the celebratory Floral Tribute saw floral arrangements being laid by: His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, ON, GCMG, CD, KSt.J, Governor-General; The Hon. Thomas Tavares-Finson, CD, QC, The President of the Senate, representing the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, ON, MP, Prime Minister; Dr. Peter Phillips, MP Leader of the Opposition; Councillor Kari Douglas representing His Worship the Mayor, Senator Councillor Delroy Williams, Mayor of Kington; Renato de Alencar Lima representing His Excellency Carlos Alberto Michaelsen den Hartog, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps; Fitz Jackson, CD, MP, Chairman of the PNP; Joseph Manley, Grandson of the Right Excellent Norman Washington Manley and Granville Valentine, CD, JP , General Secretary of the National Workers Union.
The Hon. Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport in her opening remarks said that Norman Manley is one of the two founding fathers of our prosperous nation:
“As we observe, with this Floral Tribute, the 127th Anniversary of his birth, we must recall that Norman Manley spent the majority of his adult life, unselfishly advocating for those who gave their labour, and as a representative of a people who sought to represent themselves. He is an advocate extraordinaire; he is a nationalist, a politician and patriot. A man who believed in Jamaica and served this country well,” said Minister Grange.
“His commitment to the welfare of his people led him to initiate the formation of the People’s National Party which supported the trade union movement spawned the National Workers Union. Along with his cousin and National Hero Sir Alexander Bustamante he laid the foundation for our democratic traditions. Norman Manley served this country with utmost devotion and distinction and was an instrumental figure in the shaping of Jamaica. He loved and believed in the Jamaican people and our ability to overcome challenges and to make a lasting imprint on the world,” she continued.
The celebratory floral tribute also featured a musical performance by the notable Jamaican songbird, Della Manley.
A civic ceremony was also held at Manley’s birthplace, Roxborough, southern Manchester at 11:00 a.m.
Norman Washington Manley was born in Roxborough, Manchester, on July 4, 1893. He was a brilliant scholar, athlete, lawyer and soldier in the First World War. He identified himself with the cause of the workers at the time of the 1938 Labour Riots and donated his time and advocacy to their plight. In September 1938, Manley founded the People’s National Party (PNP) and was elected its President annually until his retirement in 1969, 31 years later.
