Mike celebrates 75

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

Conventional wisdom says that a week in politics is a very long time. The vagaries of human emotions, social, financial and political considerations will not only kick in, but be brought to bear on the subject on hand and influence perceptions and outcomes.

If that is true, how would the authors of that saying adjudge Clarendon MP and Transport Minister Mike Henry's stint in the politics of contemporary Jamaica? The member from Central Clarendon has distinguished himself by being the longest continuing member serving in the House of Parliament, that is not from an urbanised 'garrison' constituency. A remarkable feat, considering that for nearly two decades, he sat on the Opposition benches in the House of Parliament and by the nature of our politics, his performance was somewhat proscribed.

That he has maintained the support of his constituents for just over three decades speaks to the measure of his determination and commitment to the task of representational politics and his constituency in particular. Not to mention his commitment and belief that his party represents the best vehicle to effect the social and political change needed to transform the lives of his constituents. A publisher by profession, whose LMH Publishing House has produced many of Jamaica's better known authors, the sport enthusiast previously served in the Edward Seaga administration of the 1980s as a junior minister with portfolio responsibility for culture and information, and is currently considered one of the more proactive ministers in the current administration.

On Friday June 19, Henry celebrated his 75th birthday, and to mark the occasion, his lovely wife Dawn hosted an intimate do at their official residence. It was a charming and relaxed poolside soirée that saw a number of the minister's Cabinet and political colleagues, friends and well-wishers, two of his offspring and their spouses as well as two of his grandchildren, sharing in the very special celebration. And when we say celebration, we are not talking any rip-roaring, back-slapping bacchanal, as it was simply not that kind of a party! We are talking a rather relaxed mode, almost familial, with guests intent on sharing in the warm reflective glow of conviviality and civilised discourse!

In fact, the celebration was somewhat of a surprise for the birthday boy as, despite his several attempts to elicit information from his wife earlier in the day as to what her plans were, including hinting that he had a speaking engagement that would see him going out of town, she simply kept her poker face by avoiding his subtle and not-so-subtle inquiries. So much so, that when it was time for him to cut his birthday cake, he was studiously absent, despite being on hand and warmly greeting guests earlier and only presented himself when his wife began ringing her party bell. And true blue 'Labourite' that he is, he answered. It made for a hilarious interlude! And so it was, with a continental fare, flowing libations and with little fanfare but loads of symbolism, that Henry celebrated his 75th birthday in refreshingly easy style, punctuated by no speeches, only thank yous, adding to the beauty and nobility of the occasion.

Joining the minister and his wife: President of the Senate, Senator Dr Oswald Harding and wife Marigold; Speaker of the House Delroy Chuck; Finance Minister Audley Shaw and his lovely wife Susan; Security Minister Senator Dwight Nelson; Noel Hylton; Norman and Jean Wright; the beautiful Neadene Tufton; the charming Joan Stone; noted attorney Wentworth 'Rocky' Charles; the lovely Shirley Williams; the eminent Leslie Chang; Eran and Tina Spiro; Bindley Sangster; the elegant Carmen Brown; Patrick Wong and wife Peta-Gay; Paul Abrahams; Rajiv Bakshi and companion Dorothea Gordon-Smith; Saleem Lazarus; Dorothea Clarke; Dennis Morgan; Joan Gordon-Webley; Joel Williams; Jasmin Coley; Annemarie Chin; George Knight; Marlene Daley; Daphne Taylor; Henry's son-in-law Owen James and wife Denise; son Nicholas Henry and companion Jacqui Gareaves and their children, Jad and Paisley Henry; plus a number of others.