THIS DAY IN OUR PAST

The following events took place on February 21 in the years identified: 1964: The Senate met for an hour and passed six bills, two of which were private member’s acts for the incorporation of the Presbyterian and Baptist Mid-Missions denominations, to allow them to handle their own property, mortgages and so on, in the course of their ecclesiastical and educational work.

1976: Dr William Walsh, founder, president and medical adviser of Project Hope, was presented with the insignia of the Commander of the Order of Distinction, “for public service, particularly in the field of medicine” by Governor General Florizel Glasspole at King’s House.

1976: Twelve students from Willesden High School in the west of London arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport on a 15-day study tour of the island. Arranged by the Rev Donor McNeice, head of the Religious Education Department at Willesden, who headed the group, the visit was aimed at giving the students, some of whom are of Jamaican parentage, a broad view of the island. 1978: The House of Representatives gave approval to a resolution moved by Jamaica Labour Party’s Dr Percival Broderick, calling on all members of parliament who have foreign residence permits to inform the Speaker and surrender these permits immediately. The motion also called for the amendment of the Representation of the Peoples Act to provide that any member of the House holding such a permit be disqualified and called upon to vacate his or her seat immediately.