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BELIZEANS IN NEY YORK CITY PAY THEIR LAST RESPECT TO ONE OF THEIR FOUNDING FATHERS LEIGH RICHARDSON

By: Wellington C. Ramos

                On Friday the 31^st of October 2008 many Belizeans packed St Joseph Anglican Church in Brooklyn New York City to pay their last respect to one of the founding fathers of their country Leigh Isiah Allison Richardson. Mr. Richardson was born on April the 26^th 1924 in Puerto Castillo Republic of Honduras to Leigh and Egzine Richardson and at the age of five his parents took him back to their native country Belize. He later got  married to Eva Young and from that union he had the following children who are; Yvonne, Anthony, Michael, Evamarie, Ann, Brian, Stephen and Glenn. Leigh as he was commonly called by most people, was a; politician, teacher, journalist, father, brother, son, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, father-in-law and a well loved individual. Along with Phillip Goldson, George Price, John Smith, Herbert Fuller, Herman Jex and other Nationalist Belizeans they formed the People’s Committee which later became what is now the People’s United Party in 1950.

              In 1951they refused to hang up the picture of King George the V1 and the Union Jack in the Belize City Council’s Office and started to advocate for independence against the British Government in the party’s newspaper called the Billboard. John Smith urged the party to hang up the Union Jack the British flag and the party refused. He later left the country and Phillip Goldson and Leigh Richardson were both arrested, charged, convicted and sent to prison for their involvement. In 1953 Leigh Richardson became the leader of the PUP and In 1954 he was one of the first eight Belizeans that were elected to the Belize Legislative Assembly. In 1956 there was a dispute among the leaders of the party over some issues such as; the Devaluation of the Belize’s Dollar, the Guatemalan connection and to join the West Indian Federation. Leigh Richardson, Herbert Fuller and Phillip Goldson then decided to leave the People’s United Party.

              Herbert Fuller formed the Honduran Independent Party and Leigh Richardson formed the National Independence Party where he was elected as Party Leader. George Cadle Price then became leader of the People’s United Party up until about 1992 and he was replaced by a new leader Said Musa. George Price and the People’s United Party governed Belize up to 1984 when they were defeated by the UDP in a landslide victory 21 to 7. Gorge Price himself was defeated by a young politician by the name of Derrick Aikeman. Manuel Esquivel became the first leader of any opposition party to become Prime Minister of Belize.

            The Honduran Independent Party later merged into one party under the name National Independence Party (N.I.P.). Along with other Belizean Activist, they started the first independence movement in Belize to demand Belize’s independence from Great Britain. In 1958 Leigh Richardson left Belize and handed the party over to Phillip Goldson and went to live in Trinidad. While there, he attended the University of the West Indies where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Studies. He also taught Mathematics, English, Economics and other subjects at St. Anthony’s College and Progressive High School. In the year 1973 the Liberal Party, People’s Democratic Party (P.D.M.) and the National Independence Party (N.I.P.) merged together while Phillip Goldson was studying in England and formed the United Democratic Party (U.D.P.) under the leadership of Dean Lindo. This is now the party that is governing Belize and recently defeated the People’s United Party by a landslide in the election that was held this year on February the 7^th by a margin of 25 to 6. 
 

              Before the service, a viewing of the body was held from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. The service was officiated by Reverend Braithwaite and attended by Mrs. Genene Fischer Charge De Affairs at the Belize Mission to the United Nations , Beade Pitts President of the Belize Exservicemen League and members, President of Belize Chemotherapy Organization of New York Inc. Mrs. Mary A. Usher-Swales and members, Officers and members of Friends Of U.D.P. New York State Chapter which included; Wellington Ramos Chairman, Gene Guild Treasurer, Peter Caliz Director of Media and Communications Affairs, Michael Ellis Director of Recreation, Sports and Youth Affairs, Robert Melendez Director of Security Affairs, George Gabourel Advisor and various other organizations. He was eulogized by one of his son’s Michael Richardson. Doctor Robert Bennett who is Mr Richardson’s brother-in-law and his daughter also spoke about their experiences with their family member Leigh when he was alive. Dexter Thompson a family friend added his fun experiences with him also. Mr Normon Fairweather was the Media Technologist who was responsible for transmitting live reporting and communication with Belize.

          After the service a reception was held in the Reception Hall where a live message was received via satellite from Belize’s Prime Minister the Right Honorable Dean Oliver Barrow. In his message he sympathized with Mr. Richardson’s family and commended him for the instrumental and vital role he played in the political development of our country Belize. Recently during the Independence of Belize held on September the 21^st one of Belize’s highest honor “THE ORDER OF DISTINCTION” was bestowed on Mr. Richardson by the Prime Minister and the Government of Belize. Due to his illness he was unable to attend and the award was received by his beloved Sister-In-Law Mrs. Kitty Richardson whom he lived with for most of these years in New York City. Mr Leigh Richardson along with his fellow Belizean comrades have left us with a legacy that we should always cherish and love. It is now our responsibility as Belizeans citizens to protect, defend our country and make Belize one of the most prosperous nation on this planet earth.