By Damion Mitchell, Staff ReporterPORT MARIA, St. Mary:
AMID MOMENTS of resounding applause, Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke yesterday presented the prestigious Governor-General's Achievement Awards to five persons from the County of Middlesex at the Port Maria Civic Centre, St. Mary.
The five Clinton Beam, St Ann; Joseph Parker, St. Catherine; David Fagan, Clarendon; Anthony Watson, Manchester, and Wesley Levy, St. Mary -- were recognised for surmounting numerous daunting challenges and for making outstanding contributions to the development of their communities.
"It is a triumphant moment for us... In Jamaica today, so often we speak about the things that are negative," said Sir Howard, after presenting the awards. He added: "But I am coming to the conclusion that we are one of the greatest countries in the world."
According to Sir Howard, many of Jamaica's successes were the result of a group of people who volunteered to teach, to guide and to inspire, among them, the award recipients. "Feel that you are giants, because you are," he told them.
Clinton Beam was hailed for making "tremendous sacrifices" to assist his fellow citizens in the Ocho Rios and Tower Isle communities. Managing director of C. Beam and Associates Ltd., Mr. Beam provides employment for several persons and assists with the maintenance of the police station in the community, and the pedestrian crossing and also teaches construction skills to several men in his community.
OVERCAME ROUGH CIRCUMSTANCES
Joseph Parker, entrepreneur, overcame rough circumstances as a "little barefoot boy" to establish his own businesses, providing employment for many individuals in St. Catherine.
Clarendon's David Fagan was applauded for his passion for helping the indigent. A multi-skilled individual, he was instrumental in the setting up of the Clarendon Association for Street People which provides a permanent home for street people in the parish. Also, he is a noted electrician and inventor who has formulated several chemicals to be used as coolants in motor vehicle engines.
Anthony Watson, the sixth of 11 children for his parents, was born in Mile Gully, Manchester. While attending the University of Technology, Mr. Watson's mother died, forcing him to quit his educational programme and to start working in order to fund the education of two of his siblings.
They have since completed school and are now reputable professionals. Mr. Watson has served in the Manchester Parish Council as Councillor for the Mile Gully Division for 17 years.
St. Mary's Wesley Levy, cited as a "driving force" behind numerous community development projects, was hailed for his commitment to helping others. He has been a Justice of the Peace since 1987 and has been president of the Free Hill Primary School, chairman of the Spiritual Aims Committee of the Kiwanis Club of St. Mary, and president of the St. Mary Chamber of Commerce for three terms.
The Governor-General's Achievement Awards programme started in 1991, with 168 persons being honoured up to 2003. Its sponsors are: the Jamaica National Building Society, Scotia Jamaica Building Society, Victoria Mutual Building Society, First Caribbean International Bank and The Gleaner Company Ltd.
