After being conferred with the highest honour issued at yesterday's National Honours and Awards Ceremony, literary giant, The Honourable Professor Mervyn Morris, called for more recognition to be given to distinguished service in the arena of the arts.

Professor Morris, who was appointed a member of the elite Order of Merit for distinguished contribution to the field of West Indian literature, told The Gleaner he hoped that being appointed to the Order of Merit will shine the national spotlight on other individuals who have excelled in the arts, especially in the fields of literature and culture.

"It would be nice to see more awards going to the arts, culture in general, because there (are) many contributions that could be recognised."

He added: "I hope that literature and the arts will be increasingly noticed for an award of this kind," he said.

The professor dedicated his honour to the literary community namely "all the writers before me who I've enjoyed and admired".

Still, Professor Morris was grateful for and pleasantly surprised by the award. "I am very happy to have received it. It came as a bit of a surprise but I am very happy," he said.

"It is the first one that's been given to someone who is primarily a figure in literature. It becomes representative, therefore, or a sort of gesture to the community of literature."

Slew of dignitaries

Morris headed the list of 105 Jamaicans who were recognised at the Ceremony of Investiture and presentation of National Honours and Awards yesterday on the lawns of King's House in St Andrew. Governor General Sir Patrick Allen presented the awards at the ceremony attended by a slew of dignitaries, including Prime Minister Bruce Golding and his wife, Lorna.

Nine persons received the Order of Jamaica for their outstanding contribution to education, health, athletics, public service, and human-rights advocacy. One of the recipients, Professor Gordon Valentine Shirley, was recognised for excellence in academia and public service.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Jevene Eulalee Bent headed the 18 persons who were conferred with the Order of Distinction in the Commander Class. Others included Ian Anthony Boyne for contribution to the field of Journalism; Deputy Commissioner of Police Owen Lloyd Ellington for dedicated service to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF); Derrick Kellier, member of parliament, for over 20 years of service to Parliament; and Senator the Honourable Dorothy Casieta Lightbourne for over 20 years of service to the Senate; and Dr Patricia Pamela Holness for dedicated public service.

Meanwhile, Filmore Millman Alvaranga was among 31 persons who received the Order of Distinction in the Officer Class.

For the Badge of Honour for Gallantry, seven awards were given, including Winston Quest for his bravery in rescuing a family of four from drowning in the Discovery Bay area of St Ann on August 12, 2008.

Meritorious service

Sixteen other Jamaicans received the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service, while 23 persons received the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service, with one being a posthumous award to Ms Daisy Albertine Forde for community service.

One person received the Medal of Honour for Gallantry (posthumous).

The Jamaica Folk Singers gave a performance in songs 'Folk Melody' at the National Heroes park in Kingston yesterday. The function was the laying of floral tributes to salute to the national heroes. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer