It does not really matter which came first - the celebration of achievement of black people in the month of February or the establishment of Social Security on February 1, 1978.

Either way, the people of this Federation have much to be proud about: the stability of two prime ministers in the 27 years of independence and the further stability of only two directors of Social Security in the 32 years of its existence. It is timely, therefore, to share historical titbits about your Social Security system.

Our first registrant was National Hero The Right Honourable Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw, and he was assigned the number 123456. There is nothing really special about the number except for its numerical sequence. As I write, the latest number issued is 199346.

Similarly, the first employer that registered was SSMC with the number 654321 (the numerical sequence backwards) and today's most recent employer is 661064.

Therefore, 75,890 persons have so far registered with Social Security, and we have had 6,743 employers who ever registered. Is that data significant in the context of a small island state?

The benefits side of the system was first tested in August of 1978 when A Martin received the first sickness benefit payment. At that time, only 50% of his wage was replaced, and it unlikely that he received the other half from his employer. Nowadays his replacement would be 65% although the premium rate has remained the same.

The second claim was on September 27, 1978 and was for the funeral of C. Williams; and his family received $200.00. The next claim, settled on 16th November 1978 was for maternity by J. Barrate who, like Mr. Martin had half of her wage replaced along with the grant for the child of $50.00.

Today, Mrs. Barrate would have received 65% wage replaced and $450.00, and the Williams family would have had $2,500.00 to help with Mr. Williams funeral. Is that progress?

Members had to wait until 27 June 1980 to see any Age Pension benefit, when H Bart qualified, but only at the rate of 16% of wages. However, J. Howell had earlier obtained an Age Grant on 8 June 1979, just 16 months after inception of Social Security. S. Benjamin, on 30 June 1982 received our first Invalidity pension, again at just 16% of his wages. Today, both he and Mr. Bart would have qualified for 56 percent.

Mrs. M. Greene was the first widower who survived her husband and qualified for a widow's pension on 31 August 1982. It was only in 1995 that a widower became eligible to claim on behalf of his deceased wife, and the first such beneficiary claimed in 1996. Common-law co-habitation relationships were always recognized.

R. Callendar was the first child survivor in 1982.

There have been improvements to the operations of Social Security: Employment Insurance coverage was introduced in January 1986 and Self Employed coverage was introduced on July 1, 1996.

L. Gumbs was the first unfortunate individual who suffered an injury on the job after the introduction of Employment insurance. But he was fortunate to be the first to obtain a benefit at 70% of his wage on January 20, 1986 under the Employment Injury branch, the same month in which it was introduced (today, his payment would have been at 75%).

On or about the 24th March 1986, Mrs. L. Archibald lost her husband in an accident on the job, and she and her child were able to claim compensation under Social Security. G. McDowell, on 30 December 1986 claimed the first Disablement benefit - i.e. this is the payment to persons who become invalid as a result of a job related accident.

Mr. Walter Simmonds was our first self employed registrant, but he was not the first claimant, the family of Dave Charles was. To date, this category of persons has enjoyed close to EC$3million in benefit payments.

Need I state that Robert Manning was the first - and only male - director?

You have never have known as much about Social Security as you do now! Give thanks for our pioneers.