BELCO Honors, Pays Tribute To Eugene Cox
BELCO commemorated Black History Month by recognizing the late Eugene Cox.
A spokesperson said, “Bermuda Electric Light Company Limited [BELCO or the Company] is celebrating Black History Month by recognising the contributions of the Company’s outstanding Black leader, the Hon. Eugene Cox, JP, MP, who, despite many obstacles, went on to change not just BELCO but Bermuda.
“The Hon. Eugene Cox, JP, MP was hired at BELCO in 1962 as a technical assistant in the engineering department. Mr. Cox took a risk by entering politics while still employed at BELCO but overcame the threats to his professional and personal aspirations and later became Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance for the Progressive Labour Party following their historic 1998 election victory.
“In 2003 he was recognised in the Queen’s New Years Honours list and made a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire [CBE]. In granting the award it was recognised that Mr. Cox had: “brought a brilliant mind, proven executive ability and commitment to service to his varied professional, political and communal affairs”.
“To celebrate his remarkable achievements after his passing, BELCO renamed the Company’s Operations Centre to the “C. Eugene Cox Operations Centre” in his memory and the C. Eugene Cox Engineering Scholarship worth $25,000 was established and is awarded to qualified Bermudians studying for a postgraduate degree in any engineering field relevant to BELCO’s operations.”
BELCO President Wayne Caines said, “In recognition of Black History Month, BELCO honours the contribution of countless Black Bermudians who, over more than a century, built this Company into what it is today. Much has changed over the last 117 years. Our Company has evolved and embraced Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
“We celebrate the Black Bermudians who have contributed so much not only to BELCO but to Bermuda society through their work, mentoring, community and political involvement and commitment to a fairer and more just Bermuda.”
