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Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson was born on the 25th of July 1923 in Belize City. He was the second son of Peter Edward Goldson and his wife Florence Matilda Babb Goldson.

Philip Goldson started life as a person of modest means and was able within his 78 years to soar above the various diverse circumstances that would govern his illustrious life.

He attended St. Mary's Primary School and althoug he never had the opportunity to go to high school he studied at night and successfully obtained the Cambridge University Overseas Junior certificate in 1939, and the Senior School Certificate in 1941.

From 1941 to 1947 he worked in the British Honduras Civil Service. While in the Civil Service, Goldson started his career in journalism editing the "Civil Service Chronicle", "OUT LOOK", a cultural quarterly of the St. John's College Literary Society and writing short stories and sketches for the BBC in London. With the advent of the Nationalist Movement, he wrote news items for the Belize Billboard.

The plight of the workers in Belize led him into trade unionism. He became the National Organizer of The General Workers Union in 1949 and later became its General Secretary.

On 29th September 1950, the People's Committee (a committee formed on December 31st, 1949 to protest de-valuation) dissolved itself and the People's United Party was formed. Its first leaders were: John Smith, Leader; Leigh Richardson, Chairman; George Price, Secretary; and Philip Goldson, Assistant Secretary.

From 1950 to 1956 Philip Goldson continued as a Member of the People's United Party. During that year he became the editor of the Belize Billboard and later that year the managing editor.

Entrenched Colonialism was hard to reform. The Establishment was complacent, self-satisfied and suspicious of innovation. Even many members of the working class failed to realize the depth of the problems facing the Colony and the difference between their way of life and other people in the outside world.

Mr Goldson and Leigh Richardson were convicted of "Seditious Intention" in 1951 based on an extract from the Belize Billboard, which stated, "There are two roads to self government (Independence). Evolution and Revolution. We are now trying evolution." The Colonial Government held that the words imputed an intention of try revolution if evolution did not succeed. They were sentenced to one year hard labour. Their ordeal in prison became a further rallying cry for the People's United Party.

While in prison he spent much of his time teaching some of his fellow inmates to read and write.

Prior to going to jail for his ideal Mr. Goldson won a seat to the Belize City Council and had served as Vice President (Deputy Mayor) until his conviction.

Once free he went back gladly to public life and in 1954 won a seat in the British Honduras Legislative Council where he was appointed member (quasi-Minister) for Social Services, a post he served with dignity until 1957.

His portfolio included Labour, Housing and Planing, Health, Education and Social Welfare and Community Development. During this period he coordinated the building of Corozal Town after its destruction in 1955 by Hurricane Janet.

He pioneered the Village Council system, enacted a new Education Ordinance making Primary Education free, granting government assistance to Secondary Schools for the first time and initiated special allowance for retired teachers who up to then did not enjoy pension benefits, confirmed Belize as contributing member of the U.W.I., also established Department of Housing and Planning with Henry C. Fairweather as its first Director and Town Planner, and revised Government Workers Rules establishing the check-off system for trade unions.

Because of disagreements and conflict of principle Mr. Goldson, Leigh Richardson and others resigned from the People's United Party in 1956 and formed the Honduras Independence Party. Mr. Goldson lost his bid for a seat in the Government in the 1957 elections.

On July 1st, 1958 the new Party joined with the National Party to form the National Independence Party and Mr. Goldson became the Party Secretary and was the NIP leadership and leader of the Opposition to 1979.

In 1973 the National Independence Party merged with two other Oppositions groups, the People's Development Movement and the Liberal Party to form the United Democratic Party. There were new challenges, new jobs to be done, and new campaigns to plan. He served as Deputy Party Leader from 1979-1982. He resigned from the UDP in 1991 in opposition to the passage of the Maritime Areas Act, and formed and led his last political party: National Alliance for Belizean Rights.

At the age of 51, Mr. Goldson announced he was going to become a lawyer, and he did. He was called to the Bar of Lincoln's Inn, London and to the Belize City Bar in the following year. While doing all this he was elected to the Belize City Council and the House of Representatives (19741980).

Then tragedy struck. Glaucoma left Philip Goldson blind in 1978. In the 1984 elections he not only won his seat but also was able to celebrate the victory of his party, the United Democratic Party. In the new Government Mr. Goldson was appointed Minister of Social Services and served with distinction. Even opponents were heard to say, "Goldson, blind, sees some things more clearly than men with two good eyes."

As Minister he established the Family Court, the Belize City Urban Department, the Department of Women's Affairs, the District Councils, Disabilities Service Division, and launched the Belizean Partners in Service to Belize, which inspired Belizeans in North America to establish the Consortium for Belizean Development in November 1985. In mid 1986 he became Minister of Labour and Social Services.

His interest in disabilities led to his election in 1986 as President of the Caribbean association of the Disabled and in 1987 Vice-President of Rehabilitation International.

When a new terminal building was to be built at the International Airport, the Prime Minister and Cabinet decided to rename the facility the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport. It was fitting tribute to an outstanding Belizean Citizen.

Mr. Goldson accepted the honor with humility and announced he would retire at the end of his term to devote his time to writing, the law, and his work for the disabled.

However despite his retirement, on January 13th, 1992, he was instrumental in the formation of the National Alliance for Belizean Rights (NABR).

NABR, in constituting itself as a political party, declared its foundation date as January 13, 1992; its colors as green and white; its mission to identify, defend, expand, and activate Belizean rights; and its main object included the preservation of the independence of Belize with its sovereignty established within the land and sea boundaries to which it is entitled under national and international law.

On October 3rd, 2001, Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson was laid to rest with a State funeral. Just before his death, this Belizean Hero and Patriot was presented with The Order of Belize.

One of this great Belizean Hero and Patriot favorite sayings was, "THE TIME TO SAVE YOUR COUNTRY IS BEFORE YOU LOSE IT!"

Northern Star


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A remarkable man!

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PHILLIP STANLEY WILBERFORCE GOLDSON. Today, we recognize this National Hero who would have celebrated his 90th Birthday. Read below to learn more about Mr. Goldson.

PHILLIP S.W. GOLDSON (1923-2001)

Born of humble parentage on July 25, 1923, in Belize City, Belize, Philip Goldson started life as a person of modest means and was able within his 78 years to soar above the various diverse circumstances that would govern his illustrious life. His early education was at St. Mary's Primary School in Belize City, and he went on to study at night to successfully obtain the Cambridge University Overseas Junior Certificate in 1939, and the Senior School Certificate in 1941.

Political career: After working briefly as a civil servant for six years, Goldson became enticed by the beginnings of the Nationalist Movement in Belize of the late 1940s and early 1950s. The route into politics at that time was by way of the labor movement, and in 1949 he became the National Organizer of the General Workers Union, and later General Secretary.

Together with early activists like John Smith and George Price, he founded the People's United Party (PUP) in 1950 and served as Assistant Secretary. Convicted of seditious intention in 1951, Goldson was sentenced to one year in prison.

Differences in opinion caused Goldson to break with the PUP in 1956, becoming Party Secretary of the newly formed National Independence Party (NIP) in 1957, and Party Leader from 1961-1974. He served as Deputy Party Leader from 1979-1982 of the United Democratic Party (UDP), formed out of the NIP and two other parties in 1973. He formed and led his last political party in 1991.

In the 1984 elections he not only won his seat but also was able to celebrate the victory of his party, the United Democratic Party. In the new Government Mr. Goldson was appointed Minister of Social Services and served with distinction. Even opponents were heard to say, "Goldson, blind, sees some things more clearly than men with two good eyes."

Late in his career, at the age of 51 in 1974, he began to study law, subsequently called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn, London, and to the Belize bar the following year.

Although blinded by glaucoma in 1978, Goldson remained active in politics and as a member of the House of Representatives up to 1998. He was known to always be an unpretentious and humble man, as a politician and statesman.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

In the 1984 elections he not only won his seat but also was able to celebrate the victory of his party, the United Democratic Party. In the new Government Mr. Goldson was appointed Minister of Social Services and served with distinction.

As Minister he established the Family Court, the Belize City Urban Department, the Department of Women's Affairs, the District Councils, Disabilities Service Division, and launched the Belizean Partners in Service to Belize, which inspired Belizeans in North America to establish the Consortium for Belizean Development in November 1985. In mid-1986 he became Minister of Labour and Social Services.

His interest in disabilities led to his election in 1986 as President of the Caribbean association of the Disabled and in 1987 Vice-President of Rehabilitation International.

When a new terminal building was to be built at the International Airport, the Prime Minister and Cabinet decided to rename the facility the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport. It was fitting tribute to an outstanding Belizean citizen.

Mr. Goldson accepted the honor with humility and announced he would retire at the end of his term to devote his time to writing, the law, and his work for the disabled.

However despite his retirement, on January 13, 1992, he was instrumental in the formation of the National Alliance for Belizean Rights (NABR).

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
* First Leader of the Opposition in 1969, as the Leader of the National Independence Party.

* Re-elected to the Albert Division of Belize City from 1965 to 1993.

* As Member for Social Services, coordinating the rebuilding of Corozal Town after Hurricane Janet in 1955.

* Minister of Local Government, Social Services and Community Development 1984-1989.

* Minister of Immigration, Youth Development and Human Resources 1993-1998.

* Elected to the Belize City Council in 1974, 1977 and 1983.

* The first Belizean statesman to speak before the General Assembly of the United Nations, when he addressed that body in 1967 on the Guatemalan question.

AWARDS:

1989: The Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport named after him.

2001: Conferred with the Order of Belize for his patriotism and political work.

2008: Conferred with the Order of the National Hero (posthumously).

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Belizean Nationalist Philip Goldson-The Ardent Revolutionary To The Expanionist Guatemalan Claim


A documentary on one of the most celebrated Belizean nationalist, the late Philip Wilboforce Goldson, and the struggle he waged against the expansionist Guatemalan Claim since 1948. Goldson was also the architect of the National Independence Party (NIP), the opposition party that opposed the policies of the Peoples United Party (PUP) led by the popular Belizean leader and Prime Minister George Cadle Price. Minister Goldson, as he is referred to in Belizean political circles, was also one of the founding members of the PUP before leaving the party in the 1950's. To date, he remains the most ardent revolutionary to the insidious Guatemalan Claim that remains unsettled up to today. The body of political work in which he has laid down for future generations of Belizeans in resistance to the Guatemalan government aggression to Belizean sovereignty and territorial integrity has today become a revolutionary force that Belizean activist and nationalist continue to use to resist. In tribute to his great political brilliance and resistance for some 46 years, he remains the ardent Belizean nationalist for Belize's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Today, Belizeans at home and abroad continue to resist the present Compromis signed between Belize and Guatemala on December 2008 that the Organization of American States has orchestrated to get both countries to settle the dispute at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The historical presentation in the documentary was aired in 1991 on the popular Dickie Bradley Show on the revolutionary KREM radio.


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Biography of Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson

1923 - 2001 Occasion - National Heroes & Benefactors Day

He meant many things to many people, for many reasons for many years. He's no other than Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson. The man, former Prime Minister Manuel Esquivel dubbed the Father of Belize's democracy.

Born on July 25, 1923 in Belize City to parents, Peter Edward Goldson and his wife Florence Matilda Babb, the young Philip, attended St. Mary's Primary School and night classes in order to sit the Cambridge overseas Junior Certificate exams which he successfully passed.

After working briefly as a civil servant, Goldson found his voice in journalism. As a young journalist, he wrote many articles which championed workers rights, during the rise of the Nationalist Movement in the 1940s, for, the premiere newspaper, the Belize Billboard.

Goldson's foray into politics was by way of the labour movement, and in 1949 he was named the National Organizer of the General Workers Union and later its General Secretary. In the late 1940s he was one of the founding members of the People's Committee formed on December 31, 1949 in response to the devaluation of the Belize dollar.

Together with activists, the likes of former Prime Minister, George Price and John Smith, Goldson founded the People's United Party in 1950 and served as its Assistant Secretary.

Things quickly changed for Goldson, a year later, when he along with Leigh Richardson was convicted of "seditious intention" and sentenced to one year hard labour; all because a published article in the Belize Billboard suggested that "there are two roads to Independence: evolution and revolution." After serving prison time many of us would have given up the fight--not Goldson. It's as if prison ignited the political flame which had smoldered in him for a year; because he won his seat on the then British Honduras Legislative Council.

It was commonly thought that Goldson and Richardson were jailed by colonial authorities so that the Belize Billboard, an anti-colonial mouth piece could no longer be published. However, with the help of a prison warden Goldson and Richardson wrote the articles for the newspaper on toilet paper which was smuggled out of prison on a daily basis and delivered to the Governor's own cook, who then secretly delivered the articles to the Belize Billboard Press.

Goldson was loved and highly regarded among Belizeans for his stance on what he called the "Unfounded Guatemala Claim". For this reason, he never lost an election and was elected each time because it was felt that he would not waiver in protecting Belize from any kind of threat of making concession to Guatemala. He rejected the notion of negotiations, because Belize's existence was non-negotiable. He asserted that "Belize belongs to all Belizeans and as such, we have a duty, right and responsibility to protect and preserve Belize."

Politics being what it is-never a dull moment; Goldson had his disagreements with the People's United Party, and broke away in 1956 only to become affiliated with the National Independence Party in 1957, serving as Party Secretary, and subsequently leader. As Leader in 1956 Goldson was the Opposition's lone voice in the House for over a dozen years-1961-1974. He also served as Deputy Party Leader of the United Democratic Party; which was a product of the NIP, the People's Democratic Movement and the Liberal Party.

Goldson resigned from the UDP in 1991 in opposition to the passage of the controversial Maritime Areas Act. And we all know, whenever he broke away-he started his party. Well, in true Goldson fashion he formed what would be his last political party-The National Alliance for Belizean Rights (NABR) And although (NABR) never ran a full slate of candidates in the 1993 general elections, Goldson's last electoral fight came in that same year when he made up with the UDP, and ran as part of a UDP/NABR coalition. He won his seat in the Albert Division, even in his blind state. The UDP was victorious because of the NABR coalition. Goldson, never lost Albert, in his 28-year run, even when his party lost. Albert was truly Goldson's stomping grounds. His political stronghold.

But there was more to Goldson than just the politician. He used his ministerial platform in Immigration, Social Services and Labour to put in place policies that have and continue to shape Belizeans lives-among them, the Village Council system, he was a staunch advocate for people with disability and that lead, back then, to the establishment of a special department to address the needs of people with disabilities. He also advocated for women's empowerment and felt that Belize needs patriotic citizens. Therefore, he used his political clout to open the doors of the now defunct Department of Patriotism. (Which some of you may remember was just over there to my left).

In his 50's Goldson found time to fulfill one of his many dreams-he went to London to read law.

This longest serving member of the House of Representatives, also had a few accolades in his life-in 1989 our International Airport was renamed the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport, in 2001, he received the Order of Belize for his sterling contribution to patriotism and politics. Not to be outdone, he received (posthumously) in 2008, Belize's highest honour, certainly worthy of his sacrifice-the Order of National Hero.

He died on October 3, 2001 after a long illness.

Personal:

I had the opportunity to cover his funeral service for Channel 5 and remembered as if it were yesterday, a hot afternoon, a packed Holy Redeemer Cathedral, with throngs of onlookers as the BDF band which lead his state funeral to the Lord's Ridge Cemetery-played on.

That afternoon, a politician who never enriched himself, who wanted freedom for his people and who exemplified love of country--literally faded into the beautiful Belizean sunset.

Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson-may his soul continue to rest in peace and rise in glory.

The Guardian


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Thank you for this post. I never knew the history.


A little known fact... Women who are overweight tend to live longer than men who mention it...
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Read 13 Chapter's (of Belize History) by Assad Shoman. One respected view of our history. The other side of the coin likes to refer to our 'kind slavery', as per a white mans POV


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Tuesday, July 25th is the Birthday of this great Belizean Hero. Here is a short version of his life, courtesy of Hector Silva

Phillip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson was born on the 25th of July 1923, in Belize City. He was the second son of Mr. Peter Edward Goldson and his wife Florence Matilda Babb Goldson. He attended St. Mary's Primary School and although he never had the never had the opportunity to go to high shool he studied at night and successfully obtained the Cambridge University Overseas Junior Certificate in 1939 and Senior School certificate in 1941.

From 1941 to 1947, he worked in the British Honduras Civil Service. While in the service, Goldson started his career in journalism editing the Civil Service Chronicle, "OUTLOOK", a cultural quarterly of the St. John's College Literacy Society and writing short stories and sketches for the BBC in London. With the advent of the Nationalist Movement, he wrote news items for the Belize Billboard. The plight of the workers in Belize led him into trade unionism. He became the National Organizer of the General Workers Union in 1949 and later became its General Secretary.

On the 29th September 1950, the People's Committee (a committee formed on December 31st, 1949 to protest de-valuation) dissolved itself and the People's United Party was formed. Its first leaders were: John Smith, leader, Leigh Richardson, Chairman, George Price, Secretary, Phillip Goldson, Assistant Secretary. From 1950 to 1956, Phillip Goldson continued as a member of the People's United Party. During that year he became the Editor of the Belize Billboard and later that year the managing Editor.

Entrenched Colonialism was hard to reform. The Establishment was complacent, self-satisfied and suspicious of innovation. Even many members of the working class failed to realize the depth of the problems facing the colony and the difference between their way of life and the outside world.

Mr. Goldson visited Guatemala for a week in 1951 and he wrote a piece for the Billboard which was entitled "Seven Days of Freedom." Both Goldson and Richardson were convicted of "Seditious Intention" in 1951, based on an extract from the Belize Billboard, which stated, "There are two roads to self government, (independence), EVOLUTION and REVOLUTION. We are now trying evolution." The Colonial Government held that the words imputed an intention to try revolution if evolution did not succeed. They were sentenced to one year hard labour.

Their ordeal in prison became a further rallying cry for the People's United Party. While in prison, Mr. Goldson spent much of his time teaching some of his fellow inmates to read and write. Prior to going to jail for his ideals, Goldson won a seat to the Belize City Council and had served as Vice-President (Deputy Mayor) until his conviction. Once free, he went back gladly to public life and in 1954 won a seat in the British Honduras Legislative Council where he was appointed member (quasi-Minister) for Social Services, a post he served with dignity until 1957 when his political career hit snag. His portfolio included Labour, Housing and Planning, Health and Education and Social Welfare and Community Development. During this period he coordinated the building of Corozal Town after its destruction in 1955 by Hurricane Janet. He pioneered the Village Council system, enacted a new Education Ordinance making Primary Education free, granting government assistance to Secondary Schools for the first time and initiated special allowances for retired teachers who up to then did not enjoy pension benefits, confirmed Belize as contributing member of the University of the West Indies, and also established a Department of Housing and Planning, with Mr. Henry C. Fairweather as its first Director and Town Planner, and revised " Government Workers Rules " establishing the check-off system for trade unions.

Because of disagreement and conflict of principle, Mr. Goldson, Leigh Richardson and others, resigned from the People's United Parity in 1956 and formed the Honduras Independent Party. Mr Goldson lost his bid for a seat in the government, in the 1957 elections.

On July 1st, 1958, the new Party joined with the National Party to form the National Independence Party and Mr. Goldson became Party Secretary and was the NIP leadership and leader of the Opposition to 1979.

In 1973, the National Independence Party merged with two other Opposition groups, the People's Development Movement and the Liberal Party to form United Democratic Party. There were new challenges, new jobs to be done, and new campaigns to plan.

At age 51, Mr. Goldson announced he was going to become a lawyer, and he did. He was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn, London and to the Belize Bar in the following year. While doing all this, he was elected to the Belize City Council and the House of Representatives (1974-80).

Then tragedy struck. Glaucoma left Mr. Pillip Goldson blind in 1978. Was this the end of his career? Absolutely NOT, for this Belizean National Hero.

In the 1984 elections, he not only won his seat, but also was able to celebrate the victory of his party, the United Democratic. In the new Government, Mr. Goldson was appointed Minister of Social Services and served with distinction. Even opponents were heard to say, "Goldson, blind, sees some things more clearly than men with two good eyes. (Note. The word blind is no longer appropriate. It is recognized as visually impaired).

As Minister, he established the family Court, the Belize City Urban Department, the Department of Women's Affairs, the District Councils, Disabilities Services Division and launched the Belizean Partners in Service to Belize, which inspired Belizeans in North America to establish the Consortium for Belizean Development in 1985. In mid-1986, he became Minister of Labour and Social Services.

His interest in disabilities led to his election in 1986 as President of the Caribbean Association of the Disabled and in 1987 Vice-President of "Rehabilitation International."

When a new terminal building was to be built at the International Airport, the Prime Minister and Cabinet decided to rename the facility "The Phillip S.W. Goldson International Airport." It was a fitting tribute to an outstanding Belizean citizen.

Mr. Goldson accepted the honor with humility and announced he would retire at the end of his term to devote his time to writing, the law, and his work for the disabled.

However, despite his retirement, on January 13th, he was instrumental in the formation of the "National Alliance for Belizean Rights." (N.A.B.R.) The goals of the NABR were the following:

  • To claim a territorial sea to the median line in the south.
  • To demand a referendum on the Maritime Areas Bill.
  • To defend the territorial integrity of Belize and the Constitutional rights of its citizens.
  • To end the immigration of Central Americas.
  • To end the secret granting of Belizean citizenship to foreigners without restriction.

NABR, in constituting itself as a political party, declared its foundation date as January 13th, 1992; its colors as green and white; its mission to identify, defend, expand and activate Belizean rights; and its main object included the preservation of the independence of Belize with its Sovereignty established within the land and sea boundaries to which it is entitled under national and international law.

On October 3rd 2001, Phillip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson was laid to rest with a State Funeral. Just before his death, this Belizean Hero and Patriot was presented with the ORDER OF BELIZE.




Goldson House for Democracy and Patriotism celebrates 94th Birth day of Philip S.W. Goldson



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