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Last Updated: Dec 29, 2011 - 2:18:31 AM |
“…It is hoped that those youth still undiscovered
throughout our Islands will come to realize that poverty, lowly
upbringing and opportunities that seem unattainable must never become
impediments to the desire for achievement and excellence…”
Miami, Florida -- An autobiography of the late Livingstone B. Johnson,
first Bahamas Ambassador to the United States and to the United Nations
will be released February 27 at a book launching ceremony to be held at
the British Colonial Hilton, downtown Nassau. According to daughters
Anita Johnson-Patty and Deanne Johnson-Anderson, “this is long overdue
and we are ecstatic that we are finally able to fulfill our father’s
dream.”
A former Member of The Bahamas Senate, Ambassador Johnson C.B.E.,
D.C.L., died in Nassau, Bahamas March 5, 2009 at the age of 85. A
State recognized funeral service was held March 20 at Christ Church
Cathedral, George Street in Nassau. The Ambassador is widowed by
Charmaine Culmer Johnson, his wife of forty nine years.
A barrister at law (Grey’s Inn, London) L. B. Johnson was appointed
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States and
to the United Nations soon after The Bahamas achieved its independence
from the United Kingdom on July 10, 1973. He presented his credentials
to United States President, Richard Nixon, four months later on
November 9, 1973.
Ambassador Johnson’s Memoirs titled: The Past Remembered, is a
compilation of the early beginnings, development and growth of a young
man born of humble means in a little village called The Hermitage,
situated at Exuma Island in The Bahamas. The Past Remembered is also
an autobiography chronicling, among other experiences, his early years
as the first Bahamian Envoy accredited to the United States, the United
Nations as well as to several other countries where he was recognized
as non-Resident Ambassador for The Bahamas. Most importantly, however,
The Past Remembered is also a ‘road map’ for young people throughout
the Islands of The Bahamas to reference as a guide while reminiscing on
the Ambassador’s enthusiasm for excellence. The Past Remembered is, in
his own words, ‘A Bahamian’s Long Journey Home In Pursuit of
Knowledge…’
(Quantico, Virginia -1978) Ambassador L. B. Johnson attending graduation excises for Inspector Fernander of the Royal Bahamas Police Force from the FBI Academy. (Left to Right) Winston D. Munnings, Third Secretary, Bahamas Embassy; Judge Webster, FBI Director, His Excellency L. B. Johnson, Bahamas Ambassador to the United States; Mrs Fernander and Inspector Fernander.)
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However his autobiography is discussed or debated, the objectives
of this compelling work are, intentionally obvious, in the Preface
(written by the Ambassador himself) of this 121-page manuscript:
“…It is hoped that those youth still yet lost and undiscovered in
the hinterland of Exuma and on every Island of The Bahamas Archipelago
will come to realize that poverty, lowly upbringing and opportunities
that seem limited or unattainable must never become impediments to the
desire for achievement and excellence…”
One of those diplomats, who served with Ambassador Johnson during
his early days in Washington DC., had this to say about the
autobiography. “This is by far the most compelling piece of
contemporary Bahamian history I have had the pleasure to read. The
Ambassador’s memoirs belong in every Bahamian Home, in every Bahamian
School, and should be sanctioned as ‘required reading’ by every member
of the Bahamas Diplomatic Service now and in the future” according to
Winston D. Munnings, a Junior Diplomat in the mid 1970’s and a protégé
of Ambassador L. B Johnson. “I say compelling, because I was there at
the time, and could certainly validate much of the revelations in His
Excellency’s Memoirs especially about those earlier years in Washington
DC,” he added.
On the eve of the release of her Dad’s Memoirs, Anita Johnson-Patty
eldest daughter said "...Writing this book was a labor of love for my
father and we are thrilled that we can share his life story with young
people of The Bahamas, and with people globally who are challenged by
the societal ills of today..."
And as to how she hoped Bahamians will respond to her father’s
autobiography, Deanne Johnson-Anderson, youngest daughter of Ambassador
Johnson, added “For the young Bahamians, for whom dad wrote this book,
I hope they see this book as an inspiration to stay the course towards
whatever they want to pursue and believe in themselves in pursuit of
that goal, regardless of their current circumstances. For all
Bahamians, I hope they regard this book as a history lesson of our
great country from the eyes of someone who truly loved his country and
his people and be proud. "
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