Belmopan, Belize (Belizean.com) Former Belize Prime Minister Rt. Hon, George Price who led Belize into independence in 1981 has been hospitalized after suffering a fall at his Belize City home over the weekend. Mr. Price who recently celebrated his 91st birthday was admitted to the Belize Health Care Partners for observation and is expected to be discharged by midweek.
Known as the Father of The Nation, Mr. Price can frequently be seen taking his walk between his home and the Holy Redeemer Cathedral for early morning mass - a practice he has kept for decades. Lately, Price has been spending time working on his biography to be published in the months to come.
Noted Belize Commentator G. Michael Reid this week wrote a guest editorial on the Rt. Hon George Price:
Rt. Hon. George Price Turns 91
The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can't blow an uncertain trumpet. ~ Theodore M. Hesburgh
A leader is a dealer in hope. ~ Napoleon Bonaparte
Today January 15th is the birthday of a very famous American hero. Civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr., whose life had a huge impact on the American way of life, was born on this day in 1929. An ordained Baptist preacher, King led non-violent protests and rallies across America that essentially toppled the ignoble and unjust system of segregation and discrimination that followed the even more irrepressible system of slavery. Dr. King's life was cut short by an assassin's bullet but his dream has lived on and has inspired people around the world to strive for peace and racial equality. Today, a black man has risen to the highest office in that country but was it not for Luther King, there could not have been a Barak Obama. Since 1983, Doctor King's birthday has been celebrated as a national and bank holiday in the United States.
In Belize, January 15th is also a significant date and while it is not yet a holiday, if there is any justice in this world, it soon will be.
January 15th marks also, the birth date of a Belizean hero; the man hailed and honored as the Father of our Nation. Former Prime Minister George Price turns 92 years old today and while his struggle was somewhat different from Luther King's, his legacy and dream will also live on to inspire generations to come. "Precio", as he was affectionately called by many, is obviously no longer the spry young warrior that he once was, but "the Old Man" still retains much of the spirit and sagacity that established him as Belize's longest serving leader and most respected political statesman.
The Right Honorable George Cadle Price is described on the Caribbean Community Secretariat's website as "the patriarch of his nation, birthing its existence as an independent national state and charting its emergence from economic backwardness to a state of development in which it stands as a centripetal and unifying force in Central American/Caribbean relations."
Upon being cited for the Order of Caribbean Community award which he received in 2001, Mr. Price was described as being "merited as much for his political feats as for his colossus of integrity, adoration and respect from a nation united in its diversity: a Caribbean leadership model". Truer words have not been spoken! Respect for Mr. Price spans the political, ethnic and generational divide of our country and even many in the region have the highest of regard for this giant of a man.
I last saw Mr. Price a few days before Christmas when I was privileged to be included on the guest list for a dinner given in his honor. He immediately recognized me as the former press officer for the Police and even commented on a few articles I had written; the man is a marvel at his age. He spent the better part of three hours mingling, conversing and posing for pictures with the many supporters, fans and admirers that had gathered to wish him well that day.
George Price was a unique kind of politician; always humble, never pompous or arrogant as the modern politicians of our day. He did not ride in any late model tinted glass luxury vehicle that is the choice of our current leaders. He always traveled in his rugged old Land Rover, usually stopping to shake hands or even to give someone a ride. He never wore sunshades, in particular when giving interviews and would readily make eye contact, apparently with nothing to hide from the public.
Mr. Price's vision was responsible for what became the new capital of Belize, high inland and away from the yearly dangers of hurricanes and flooding. Today, whenever a storm threatens, Belizeans are grateful for the safety provided by the high city of Belmopan. I can remember when Belmopan first opened and Mr. Price chose his house. It was one of the smallest and humblest of abodes, in the center of town and accessible to any who wished to engage him. Despite much improved roads and even air travel, no modern day politician has outdone Mr. Price when it comes to touring the districts and staying in touch with the common people.
Mr. Price knew just about everyone and could relate one's pedigree from grandparents to distant cousins. He was famous for visiting homes and walking into the kitchen to lift the lid of a pot to enjoy the aroma of whatever was cooking. He did it with utmost respect and gave one the feel that he was actually a part of their family. He was truly an amazing man.
Mr. Price did much in both establishing close ties with our Central American neighbors and embracing our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean. This prompted Caribbean leaders to remark that "His passion for the Caribbean cradled the Central American State of Belize into the arms of the Community". It was also expressed that "Like many of the political stalwarts of his time, George Price was the pillar of his nation's political liberation, clearing its path to political independence in 1981".
For years, opposition factions in Belize accused Mr. Price of selling out to Guatemala. Yet, despite many struggles and hardships, Belize became independent in 1981 with all its borders intact and enjoys its sovereignty to this day. Interestingly enough, some of the very ones who were making those allegations might today be accused of tearing down our borders and leaving our country vulnerable to incursions.
We are indeed fortunate to have the father of our nation still alive and with us today. It is said that one should not wait until a man is dead to give him his due. Mr. Price deserves his due and our greatest appreciation. Let us render onto him what is rightfully his. Happy Birthday Precio!
Upon being cited for the Order of Caribbean Community award which he received in 2001, Mr. Price was described as being "merited as much for his political feats as for his colossus of integrity, adoration and respect from a nation united in its diversity: a Caribbean leadership model". Truer words have not been spoken! Respect for Mr. Price spans the political, ethnic and generational divide of our country and even many in the region have the highest of regard for this giant of a man.
I last saw Mr. Price a few days before Christmas when I was privileged to be included on the guest list for a dinner given in his honor. He immediately recognized me as the former press officer for the Police and even commented on a few articles I had written; the man is a marvel at his age. He spent the better part of three hours mingling, conversing and posing for pictures with the many supporters, fans and admirers that had gathered to wish him well that day.
George Price was a unique kind of politician; always humble, never pompous or arrogant as the modern politicians of our day. He did not ride in any late model tinted glass luxury vehicle that is the choice of our current leaders. He always traveled in his rugged old Land Rover, usually stopping to shake hands or even to give someone a ride. He never wore sunshades, in particular when giving interviews and would readily make eye contact, apparently with nothing to hide from the public.
Mr. Price's vision was responsible for what became the new capital of Belize, high inland and away from the yearly dangers of hurricanes and flooding. Today, whenever a storm threatens, Belizeans are grateful for the safety provided by the high city of Belmopan. I can remember when Belmopan first opened and Mr. Price chose his house. It was one of the smallest and humblest of abodes, in the center of town and accessible to any who wished to engage him. Despite much improved roads and even air travel, no modern day politician has outdone Mr. Price when it comes to touring the districts and staying in touch with the common people.
Mr. Price knew just about everyone and could relate one's pedigree from grandparents to distant cousins. He was famous for visiting homes and walking into the kitchen to lift the lid of a pot to enjoy the aroma of whatever was cooking. He did it with utmost respect and gave one the feel that he was actually a part of their family. He was truly an amazing man.
Mr. Price did much in both establishing close ties with our Central American neighbors and embracing our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean. This prompted Caribbean leaders to remark that "His passion for the Caribbean cradled the Central American State of Belize into the arms of the Community". It was also expressed that "Like many of the political stalwarts of his time, George Price was the pillar of his nation's political liberation, clearing its path to political independence in 1981".
For years, opposition factions in Belize accused Mr. Price of selling out to Guatemala. Yet, despite many struggles and hardships, Belize became independent in 1981 with all its borders intact and enjoys its sovereignty to this day. Interestingly enough, some of the very ones who were making those allegations might today be accused of tearing down our borders and leaving our country vulnerable to incursions.
We are indeed fortunate to have the father of our nation still alive and with us today. It is said that one should not wait until a man is dead to give him his due. Mr. Price deserves his due and our greatest appreciation. Let us render onto him what is rightfully his. Happy Birthday Precio!
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