It was with great sadness that the Caribbean Community learnt of the death of the Honourable Phillip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson, former Minister of Government of Belize, on Wednesday October 3, 2001 at 78 years of age.
On behalf of the Caribbean Community, the Staff of the CARICOM Secretariat and on my own behalf, I wish to extend deepest condolences to the Government and People of Belize on the passing of an elder statesman who came to be regarded as a National Icon, a Symbol of Heroism and hailed as a Belizean Patriot.
Born in Belize City on 25 July 1923, the Honourable Phillip S.W. Goldson played a significant role in the national development of Belize and featured prominently in the evolution of its political history. He served a long and illustrious career both as a politician and public officer and was one of Belize’s foremost political and social advocates.
Phillip Goldson was a champion for the cause of the people and pursued with unwavering commitment the establishment of democratic norms and principles which would uphold fairness and equity in the society to the benefit of the citizens of his beloved country. He had the singular distinction of being the founding member of four political parties; the People’s United Party (PUP), the National Independence Party(NIP), the United Democratic Party(UDP) and the National Alliance for Belizean Rights (NABR) and also owned and edited up to 1971, one of Belize’s leading newspapers, the Belize Billboard. He served as a Minister of Government under the UDP and the UDP/NABR Coalition Government during the periods 1984 to 1989 and 1993 to 1998 , respectively.
His important contribution to national development was recently acknowledged by the Government of Belize when he was bestowed with one of the country’s highest national honours, the Order of Belize, on 19 September 2001.
As the Government and People of Belize mourn this great loss, the Caribbean Community and the Staff at the CARICOM Secretariat join me, once again, in extending heartfelt sympathy to the Government and People of Belize and to the members of his bereaved family. May his soul rest in peace.
