The Most Hon. Hugh Lawson Shearer (1967-1972)

While in politics, Hugh Shearer held several positions before becoming Prime Minister of Jamaica. He was elected to the House of Representatives as Member of Parliament for Western Kingston in 1955, an office he retained for the next four years until he was defeated in the 1959 elections. From 1962-1967, Shearer was a member of the Senate, while at the same time filling the role of Jamaica’s chief spokesman on foreign affairs as Deputy Chief of Mission to the United Nations. After the death of Donald Sangster in 1967, Shearer was elected Member of Parliament for Southern Clarendon amd became Prime Minister.

Mr Shearer’s term as Prime Minister was successful and featured the construction of three alumina refineries and three large tourist resorts that formed the basis of Jamaica’s mining and tourism industry- two biggest foreign exchange earners for the country. There was also an upswing in secondary school enrollment after an intense education campaign that he spearheaded.

The Shearer led JLP was defeated by the People’s National Party (PNP) in the 1972 elections in which Michael Manley became Prime Minister. When the JLP was returned to power in 1980, under the leadership pf Edward Seaga, Shearer was appointed deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and served until 1989.

He died at his home in Kingston on July 5, 2004 at the age of 81. He is survived by his wife, the Most Honourable Dr. Denise Eldemire Shearer, three sons Corey Alexander, Howard and Lance and daughters Hope, Hillary, Mischka Garel, Heather and Ana Margaret Sanchez.

Monument - Tower of Stature Dedicated May 18 2009

http://www.jis.gov.jm/special_sections/Shearer/seageTribute.html