The Tribute to Belizean Patriots was held last night at the Bliss Center.
The evening’s highest honour went fittingly to Phillip Goldson, the man
who defined Belizean patriotism in the nationalist era. His son, Phillip Jr.
accepted it for his now deceased father.
Phillip Goldson Jr., Accepting National Hero Award for his Father
“Today many times when I meet someone new, I would get a question
that goes something like this, ‘how did you get an airport named after
you.’ I don’t mind those questions, those questions allow me to
explain to people from other countries who the Hon. Phillip Stanley Wilberforce
Goldson was and the qualities and values that he had that the Belizean people
admired and want to emulate and so I get to spread a little bit of the good
news about our Belizean way just a little bit more.”
Rt. Hon. Manuel Esquivel, Receiving Order of Belize
“It is a particular honour to be honoured on the same occasion as
the Honourable Phillip Goldson and Mr. Leigh Richardson. Our history, being
what it is, seems not to record for the younger generation that Mr. Goldson
and Mr. Richardson were and still are the only two bonafide political prisoners that our country has ever seen.”
Lois Young, Receiving Order of Distinction
“It is very gratifying to receive a Belizean award. I have a friend
in Jamaica who has a national award from the government of Jamaica. I have to
confess I’ve always thought I wonder what it feels like to have that order,
it was so magnificent to me. It is a treasure for me. It is irreplaceable.”
Senator Godwin Hulse, Receiving Order of Distinction
“I was never sure and I am never sure of what I am supposed to do.
That was never made clear to me in my life. Among all the things I’ve
done, the only the thing that was clear is that whatever I do, I think I was
directed to do it to the best of my ability to the honour and glory of God and
in service to my fellow man and I will continue to do that.”
Walda Richardson Simmons, Niece Leigh Richardson (Order of Distinction),
“Every moment of his working life he contributed to Belize until unfortunately
by forces beyond his control and political and patriotic contributions he was as it were exiled from his own country by those notorious minds who plotted
to keep him away.”
Major James Requena, Receiving Award for Meritorious Service
“I would also like to thank my wife and my daughter for trusting and
having faith in me, the many times I said I will be back from all the numerous
bomb threats that I have to deal with and the team that is dealing with in this
country.”
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
“Tonight’s awardees have by their principled conduct, by their
selfless service, by their exemplary behaviour nurtured and serviced and grown
the Belizean national spirit.”
Leigh Richardson was unable to make it for his Order of Belize award.
In all 13 Belizeans were honoured. The Tribute to Patriots will air on Sunday
afternoon here on Channel 7.