NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2024 19 EDMUND BARTLETT FEATURE Published Wednesday, December 17, 1980 THE MINISTER of State for Information and Culture, Hon Edmund Bartlett, was honoured yesterday for his outstanding service to the Jamaican Freedom League. Bartlett, president of the Freedom League, worldwide, since 1979, was given the 1980 outstanding Service Award, at the first Freedom Awards Luncheon staged at the Eastwood Banquet Room in the Bronx. Minister Bartlett seized the opportunity to invite members to national service. “The role of the Freedom League will change,” he said. “You are now ambassadors at large for your country. Your life is being mirrored, for you worked to bring the government of the day into office. Now, you are on the nation-building.” The minister then used his own development as an example of what he meant. FOR ALL He said: “On October 29, I was the JLP candidate for Eastern St Andrew and remained so up to midnight of the 30th. But at that point, I became the member of parliament for everybody in the constituency. And on November 17, I became a minister of government for all Jamaica, and I will serve Jamaica and Jamaicans, irrespective of their political and ideological views. I am here passing the mantle on to you.” Bartlett said that the new Government’s mandate was so overwhelming that “we have no place in our hearts for victimisation”. He went on to speak of the Government’s determination to make Jamaica united under God and an example of democracy in the world. “Take a new look at yourselves and your country. Consider yourselves as Jamaicans, first; Jamaicans in sojourn in a foreign country – but Jamaicans who are committed to the development of our country. Let the US be for you an extension of home; not a replacement for home,” Minister Bartlett told his audience. “I am committed, myself, to making Jamaica a place for you to return to, and say to your children, ‘Jamaica, land we love” the minister added. Bartlett was introduced by Lloyd Dennis, chairman of the Bronx Chapter of the League. INVITATION Also present at the awards luncheon was the acting consul general, Dennis Francis, who spoke, briefly, about the functions of the consulate and how it could help Jamaican nationals in the area. He issued an open invitation to all Jamaicans to come into the consulate for any assistance or information which it could offer, and gave the assurance that his door was always open. Special awards were presented to the Inner City Broadcasting Corporation, operators of radio station WLIB, in recognition of the outstanding news documentary, Which Way Jamaica; and to correspondent, Herman Hall, for his coverage of the Jamaican elections. Hall expressed surprise at his personal award and went on to observe that members of the foreign media who covered the elections in Jamaica were treated as professionals and were not harassed in any way. He expressed the view that the people of Jamaica were the best in the world. The 1980 Service Award was presented to George Stone, Jr and James Thomas, in recognition of faithful service to the league. Bartlett honoured for service to Freedom League
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