COOKE, His Excellency The Most Honourable Sir Howard Felix Hanlan, O.N., C.D., G.C.M.G., Governor General of Jamaica since August 1991.
Born: Goodwill, St James, November 13, 1915, son of David Brown Cooke and Mary Jane Minto-Cooke (both dec’d).
Educated: Elementary and Private Schools, Mico College, London University.
Organisations: Senior Elder in the United Church of Jamaica and Grand Cayman; Member of the Ancient and Accepted Order of Masons; Lay Pastor and past Chairman of the Cornwall Council of Churches; Past member of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission; Past Secretary and local Chairman of the St. James Cultural Commission; Former President of the Jamaica Union of Teachers; Past Executive Member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
Career: Teacher, Mico College, Port Antonio Upper and Montego Bay Boys’ Schools; Headmaster, Belle Castle All Age School; Entered politics in 1938 as one of the founding members of the People’s National Party; Member of the Executive and the National Executive, Chairman of the Regional Executive and Chairman of the People’s National Party; Branch Manager, Standard Life Insurance Company 1960-71; Member, West Indies Federal Parliament 1958-62; Senator 1962-67; Member of the House of Representatives 1967-80; Minister of Government 1972-80; Unit Manager, Jamaica Mutual Life Assurance Society 1971-81; Branch Manager, American Life Insurance Company 1982-91; President of the Senate 1989-91.
Awards: The Knighthood (G.C.M.G.) bestowed on him by Her Majesty the Queen 1991; Order of the Nation 1991; Commander of the Order of Distinction 1978; Special Plaque awarded by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association 1980.
Denomination: Presbyterian.
Married: Ivy Sylvia Lucille Tai, July 22, 1939; 2 sons 1 daughter.
Interests: Music, Reading, Football, Cricket, Gardening.
Motto: “Applying all my knowledge and achievements to the pursuit of peace and harmony”.
Address: King’s House, Hope Road, Kingston 6. Tel: 927-6143.