Cooke
Tyrone Reid, Staff Reporter
WITH UNDER a month before he steps down after nearly 15 years as Governor-General, Sir Howard Cooke's legacy is being warmly remembered for integrity and commitment to national service.
Sir Howard began his working life as a teacher, practised as a lay preacher and also worked as a life insurance underwriter.
In politics, he was one of the founding members of the nationalist movement in 1938 that led to the formation of the People's National Party (PNP).
He went on to become a minister and then chairman of the party prior to his appointment as head of state.
NOT LOSE COMMON TOUCH
"His tenure as Governor-General has been one that the country can be especially proud of and especially in Montego Bay, where he originates from," said former mayor of the Second City, Shalman Scott, who was a pupil of Sir Howard when he was headmaster of Montego Bay Boys' School. "I think that one of the tremendous things about Sir Howard is that he is a typical example of someone who can walk with kings and queens but never lost the common touch."
For fellow former PNP minister, Arnold Bertram, there are few Jamaicans who could have lived up more closely to his motto of 'Christ and Jamaica'
"He is one of few politicians who left no rancour behind him," said Mr. Bertram.
OBJECTIVITY
But political historian and analyst Troy Caine, despite his admiration for Sir Howard as an individual, believes that, as Governor-General, his ties to the PNP compromised his neutrality as head of state.
"His objectivity was suspicious ... (there) was some kind of unwillingness to sever his political ties," claimed Mr. Caine.
But Dr. D.K. Duncan, former general secretary and Cabinet minister in the PNP administration of the 1970s, maintained that Sir Howard's performance as head of state proved to be credible and objective.
Responding to Mr. Caine's analysis, Dr. Duncan argued: "You are deemed as objective if you bash your own party. It is the present nature of the Jamaican culture until we mature."
Sir Howard, the third native Governor-General, will be 91 years old in November. Sir Kenneth Blackburn (1957-1962), Sir Clifford Campbell (1962-1973) and Sir Florizel Glasspole 1973-1991) all preceded Sir Howard as Governor-General.
