THIS DAY IN OUR PAST

The following events took place on May 22 in the years identified:

1972: Dr Ralph Abernathy, United States civil rights leader and president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and an associate of the late Martin Luther King Jr, arrived in Jamaica on a six-day visit of “goodwill and relaxation”.

1973: Legislation for the establishment of a Workers Savings and Loan Bank and involving a takeover of the assets and liabilities of the Government Savings Bank, was brought to the House of Representatives. The bank is to have an authorised share capital of $10 million divided into shares with par value of 50 cents each.

1974: A new payroll savings plan was launched by the Workers Savings and Loan Bank in association with Life of Jamaica, the insurance company. A luncheon was given by the bank at the Pegasus Hotel, which was done by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance David Coore.

1975: Public Utilities and Transport Minister Eric Bell signed an agreement between the Government of Jamaica and Canada providing for technical assistance to the Jamaica Railway Corporation (JRC) by the Canadian International Development Agency. Canadian High Commissioner, John Harrington signed on behalf of his government. The agreement will provide the JRC with technical assistance, through the provision of four ‘advisers, in the JRC’s rehabilitation programme.

1976: Minister of Marketing and Commerce Vivian Blake became the 48th volunteer to register for the Home Guard at the St Ann’s Bay Police Station.

TODAY’S GEM

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

– Martin Luther King Jr