AMID rumours of declining health, Finance Minister Eugene Cox told recentlythat he might "take a break" from his Government post in order to "re-evaluate his options".

Now, weeks away from the unveiling of the new Budget, the ailing Minister has made the news yet again.

Mr. Cox, 75, led the Queen's New Year Honours List in Bermuda with a CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire).

Born and raised in Sandys, the Minister, whose daughter Paula is Attorney General and Education Minister, has had a long and varied professional and political career. Mr. Cox attended the West End Primary School before qualifying as an Engine Fitter at the Royal Naval Technical School in Dockyard as a young man.

Mr. Cox headed north to Canada to further his education, first attending the Ryerson Institute of Technology in Toronto, gaining his Iron Ring, then earning his bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from McGill University in Montreal. In addition, Mr. Cox holds a Certificate in Management from the American Management Association.

Upon his return to Bermuda, Mr. Cox worked for the Bermuda Electric Light Company, moving up the ranks to senior vice-president and assistant to the president, responsible for engineering and operations. From his retirement in 1993 until his appointment as Finance Minister, Mr. Cox sat on the Belco Board of Directors.

For the past 28 years, Mr. Cox has served the Progressive Labour Party in some capacity, first as a Member of Parliament, then as Shadow Minister for Finance from 1989 until 1998.

PLP victory in the 1998 general election saw Mr. Cox appointed as Minister of Finance. From 1996 until his resignation this past July, Mr. Cox served as Deputy Leader of the PLP under the ousted Jennifer Smith.

In addition to these duties, Mr. Cox has held the post of Opposition Whip, responsible for maintaining order among his fellow Ministers, and has sat on a variety of Parliamentary committees, including the the House and Grounds Committee, the Parliamentary Remuneration Committee and the Committee on Banking.

Noted for his calm disposition and passionate commitment to his country, Mr. Cox has long been a valuable asset to Bermuda not only as a statesman but as a diplomat and humanitarian. As Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, he initiated projects like JOBB to promote a healthy racial climate on the island.

A member of the Higher Horizons group, Mr. Cox organised expeditions for racially integrated groups of local youngsters.

A devout Anglican, Mr. Cox is a member of the St. James Church Family in Sandys, representing the Church at the Anglican Synod and serving on their Executive Committee, chaired by the Anglican Bishop.

Mr. Cox made his mark on the local sports scene in his younger years as a star soccer player for the West End Rovers ? the forerunners of the Somerset Trojans.

Should the newly appointed CBE choose to step down from his post as Finance Minister this coming February, Mr. Cox will take the opportunity to relax and revisit a favourite hobby: fishing from his dock.

As he told earlier this month: "I can just walk down to the dock (to fish), but I have not been able to do that since four or five years ago . . . I think it is time to take a break."