THIS DAY IN OUR PAST

The following events took place on July 6 in the years identified:

1983: A challenge to Jamaicans to develop and practise selfsufficiency is thrown out by pastor of the Zion Baptist Church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, Rev Leon Sullivan. Speaking at the graduation exercise of Vere Technical High School in Clarendon, the distinguished American Negro leader tells his audience and the wider Jamaican public that “today, the need for Jamaicans is self-sufficiency, so that you will not depend on other nations for your survival. Self-sufficiency to be able to stand on your own feet as an economic, independent nation in the world”.

1987: Defending champions Kensington retains the Sealy Senior Cup cricket title after gaining first-innings lead over Kingston in the three-day final which ends at Sabina Park. Scores in the drawn game are Kingston 185 and 282 for eight, Kensington 409. (See related photo below)

1993: Minister of Labour and Welfare Portia Simpson, in opening the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, states that there are 750,000 Jamaicans who fall below the poverty line; however, the ministry is only able to “touch the lives of approximately 355,000”. She further states that as of July, all categories of beneficiaries will receive an increase in their monthly food stamp allotments.

1999: Disgruntled rankand-file members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force walk out of a stormy meeting at the Elletson Road Police Station Complex in Kingston, rejecting a wage package that include a 24 per cent increase proposed by the Government for the 1998-2000 period.