Florida's Caribbean Sun Newspapers September 2009 Part 1

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Florida’s Caribbean SunNEWS YOU CAN USE!1 Vol. 6 No. 8 ● September 2009

Investigations are ongoing in Central Florida into the production of a quantityof counterfeit United States currency, much of which has been seized and pulled

out of circulation, a law enforcement source has told Caribbean Sun. A quantityof the currency might have been destined for shipment to Guyana, according tothe source.

Despite the seizure, business enterprises, especially Caribbean American es-tablishments are being encouraged to be vigilant and be on the lookout for

United States Secretary of State Hilary Clinton says thatAmerica values its partnership with Trinidad and Tobago

and the contribution made by Trinidadian Americans to the cul-ture and prosperity of the US.

Mrs. Clinton’s remarks were contained in a message to markTrinidad and Tobago’s 47th anniversary of Independence onAugust 31.

Here is the text of the Secretary of State’s message:

On behalf of the people of the United States, I would like tocongratulate the people of Trinidad and Tobago as they celebrateforty-seven years as an independent nation on August 31. Presi-dent Obama and I had the pleasure of visiting Trinidad and To-bago in April for the Summit of the Americas and we were grate-ful for the warmth and hospitality of the people of these beauti-ful islands. We value the partnership between the United States

Task Force investigating counterfeit moneyCaribbean American businesses should be vigilant

attempts to pass off counterfeit US notes.

Caribbean Sun has been reliably informed that a joint task force which includes federalagents has been investigating the case for some months now, following an operation in theWaterford area in East Orlando.

“The investigations are ongoing and we cannot at this time provide any additional infor-mation,” the source said.

US values its partnership withTrinidad-Clinton

and Trinidad and Tobago, which is based on mutual respect andmutual interest. Our two nations have much in common - ourvalues, our history, and our hopes for a brighter future for thepeople of our Hemisphere. Many families in the United Statestrace their roots to Trinidad and Tobago and they have contrib-uted so much to our culture and our prosperity.

Our warmest wishes will be with the people of Trinidad and To-bago as they take part in Independence Day parades and com-memorations. The National Awards presented at the President’sHouse will celebrate the spirit and accomplishments of a proudnation. And the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of GovernmentMeeting will once again provide Trinidad and Tobago with awell-deserved showcase on the world stage.

On this historic occasion, let me reaffirm the commitment of theUnited States to work together with Trinidad and Tobago tostrengthen and deepen our partnership.

The mediation process initiated by Guyana’s President Bharat Jagdeo to help resolvethe dispute between the West Indies Cricket Board and the West Indies Players Asso-

ciation has broken down.

Mediation process breaks downStriking players acted irresponsibly-Lance Gibbs

The mediator, Sir Shridat Ramphal recently declared the process closed, laying blame onthe Board for the failure of efforts to resolve the dispute which could put the future of West

The countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are set to negotiate trade anddevelopment agreements with the United States and Canada which would encompass

assistance with social and infrastructural projects, Jamaica’s deputy prime minister andminister of foreign trade, Dr. Kenneth Baugh told participants in a recent Jamamica/USAbusiness expo.

Dr. Baugh explained that the era of preferntial access to markets was coming to a closeand as part of the need to offer reciprocal free access to the CARICOM market, the coun-tries of the region were set to negotiate development agreements which would replace the

Caribbean looking for developmentagreements with US, Canada

– Continued on page 14 –

Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) with the US and CARIBCAN with Canada.

“We in CARICOM are poised to begin negotiations with the Canadians later this year ona trade and development agreement to replace CARIBCAN and we hope to do the sameshortly thereafter with the United States, These trade and development agreements areintended to take into account the special circumstances and development needs of thesmall economies of the Caribbean,” Dr. Baugh told guests at a luncheon on the closingday of the fourth annual Jamaica/USA Business Expo held in Miramar, Florida.

– Continued on page 21 –

From left: Clive Lloyd, Harry Rambarran, Ram Ali, Gerald Lopes, Lance Gibbs, Richard Vasconcellas and Ian Lye share a light moment during a recent dinnerhosted by Mr. Rambarran at his South Florida home in honor of Clive Lloyd’s visit to the US. (Caribbean Sun photo).

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4th Annual JamaicanBusiness Expo

The 4th Annual Jamaican Business Expo hosted by the Jamaica/USA Chamber of Com-merce earlier this month in Miramar, Florida attracted some 50 exhibitors offering a rangeof products and services including spices,processed foods,artwork, apparel, jewelry aswell as services such as legal and financial services, shipping, air travel and informationtechnology. Among the exhibitors were Laparkan Shipping, Grace Foods, Seafreight, Airjamaica and Victorai Mutual.

There were also sessions on doing business with Jamaica involving presenters from theJamaica Exporters’ Association, The Jamaica Manufacturers Association, Jamaica Tradeand Invest and the National Land Agency of Jamaica.

The keynote speaker at the Event was Jamaica’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister ofForeign Affairs and Foreign Trade Dr. Kenneth Baugh.

Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Kenneth Baugh (left) is presented a Lance Gibbsautographed Laparkan cricket ball by Wesley Kirton while at the Laparkan boothat the Expo looking on is Director JAUSACC, Joseph Rhoden.

Lake Narine, owner of Timehri Restaurant in Orlando examines a bottle of OchoRios cucumber drink in the presence of President of Ochios Rios Miami, Inc.Ashton Lue (center) and Arnold Gajraj another Orlando based businessman.

Jamaica’s Consul General in Florida Sandra Grant Griffiths (right) with GraceKennedy’s Hazel Maragh.


Initiatives to bolster Caribbean tourism industry

The Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is gearing up to launch the

initial phase of a brand new marketing program designed to increase the visibility of Car-

ibbean tourism destinations and maintain the region’s competitiveness in the face of dras-

tic changes in consumer spending.

The new CTO marketing campaign will be financed from a regional fund that has a target

of U.S.$ 60 million. Some of CTO’s

33 member countries will make a di-

rect contribution while others are

likely to pay for their share of the pro-

gram by introducing a surcharge on

airline tickets for travel to the Carib-

bean originating outside the region.

In addition to raising funds from its

members, cruise lines, which have a

vested interest in sustaining the Car-

ibbean tourism industry, are likely to

contribute to the Caribbean regional

marketing program that will be imple-

mented in phases as contributions

come in.

CTO Secretary-General, Hugh Riley, believes that in the current global economic down-

turn “ it is critical to keep the Caribbean front of mind for and keep our core constituents

confident in our brand.”

Riley notes that consumers shop and buy differently in a recession. The CTO has therefore

tuned in to the new social media, using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogging to pro-

mote the Caribbean tourism product.

With consumers looking for added value, Caribbean tourism destinations have been offer-

ing a night free, kids free and free water sports to lure tourists. The reduced spending

power of American and European visitors have seen them booking last minute and opting

for the lower airfares and deep hotel discounts.

Several CARICOM Member States experienced double-digit declines in visitors from the

main United States market for the first five to six months of this year compared with the

same period in 2008. American visitor arrivals were down in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

(18%), St. Lucia (17.7%), Barbados (16%) and the Bahamas (14.9 %). Curacao (32.3 %)

and Bermuda (25.8%) also experienced a significant drop in the number of U.S. visitors.

Fewer European tourists came to the region over the same period. Notable declines were

recorded in Grenada (16.7%), Antigua and Barbuda (15.3%), St. Lucia (12.5%), St. Vincent

and the Grenadines (12.2%), Cayman Islands (10.9%), Barbados (9.7%) and The Baha-

mas (9.6%).

The Bahamas tourism industry has been dealt a severe blow by the global recession, with

a few established properties closing their doors and layoffs have been mounting. Govern-

ment measures to cushion the impact, include tax reductions, expansion of infrastructure

and aggressive marketing. The island did receive a huge PR boost with the hosting of the

recent the Miss Universe Pageant.

Many Caribbean tourism destinations saw a significant boost in Canadian visitors, includ-

ing Jamaica (28.7%), St. Lucia (20%) Barbados (17.7%) and Grenada (16.3%). Industry

experts feel that in Canada the recession has not had the same bite as in the U.S. and

European markets.

The CTO Secretary-General believes Canadian confidence in the Caribbean tourism product

has not wavered much and an increase in airlift to the region has also stimulated travel.

Former President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), Peter Odle,

who is Managing Director of Mango Bay hotel in Barbados, points to the new competitive

fares from Canadian airlines WestJet and Air Canada and an increase in seats.

Guyana was one of the few destinations to record increases in arrivals from the U.S.

market (11.1%) and an overall increase in total arrivals (13.8%) for the first half of this

By Sandra Ann Baptiste

A monthly column on Caribbean issues

Caribbean PerspectivesCaribbean PerspectivesA monthly column on Caribbean issues

The writer is a business consultant and specialist in Caribbean Affairs

year compared with the same period in 2008.

Jamaica registered close to a 20 per cent fall off in cruise ship arrivals while some of the

Eastern Caribbean tourism destinations experienced sizeable increases, notably Antigua

and Barbuda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada.

To minimize the impact of the global economic crisis on the key foreign exchange earning

tourism industry, several Caribbean destinations put in place “stimulus packages.”

The Barbados Government allocated $ U.S. 7.5 million to assist with the cash flow of

properties and sustain employment in the hospitality industry; over three dozen properties

took advantage of this program.

A second tranche of U.S.$5 million will be made available by the end of September, but

this time eligibility will be linked to hotels and restaurants that were able to sustain em-

ployment. President of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA), Wayne

Capaldi puts occupancy so far this

year at between 16 and 60 per cent,

with most properties registering

around 40 per cent.

The BHTA is grateful for

government’s financial support and is

cognizant of its tight fiscal situation.

But it is disappointed that there has

been no further dialogue on its pro-

posals to lower the duties on 20 of the

most commonly used food items in

the industry and for a program to pro-

vide relief if electricity costs soar,

something which St. Vincent and the

Grenadines has done.

The Barbados “Staycations”, promoted to encourage locals to spend their holidays in the

island and take advantage of special cost-saving packages, was hugely successful and will

be continued on an annual basis.

Odle, a tourism industry veteran, notes that Barbadian hotels really began to feel the pinch

of reduced tourism traffic to the island in the second quarter of this year. He is cautiously

optimistic about the 2010 winter, partly because of 60, 000 additional seats being made

available by various airlines, including new ones.

The BHTA’s Capaldi, who runs the 47-room Sandpiper hotel, shares this outlook, hoping

for “a return to reasonable levels of business.”

Jamaica hoteliers have also benefited from Government assistance in the form of a

concessional loan scheme, tax reductions and an increased marketing budget.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett announced that cash support to the sector to the tune of

U.S $ 7.1 million, through the stimulus package ending in September, has helped to ease

cash flow problems and has met its goal of sustaining jobs and maintaining growth.

However, the Jamaica Hotel and Tourism Association (JHTA) wants to see the stimulus

measures, specifically the 50 per cent reduction in the General Consumption tax, main-

tained until December.

Even though the CTO regards the Caribbean travel market as still vulnerable, because of

economic indicators that the recession is bottoming out, it forecasts that the upcoming

winter season will be somewhat better than anticipated.

The CTO recently took a high-level delegation to the United States to lobby the U.S.

administration on key issues affecting the region’s tourism industry.

Caribbean governments are calling for U.S. Customs and Immigration Pre-Clearance op-

erations in the region.

CARICOM officials who participated in the Washington meetings say they have also

proposed measures to reduce the cost of travel to the Caribbean and to significantly in-

crease the duty free allowance for U.S. tourists visiting the Caribbean, moves they believe

would enhance the region’s competitive position.

Understandably, the CTO will not be hosting its traditional annual Caribbean Tourism

Conference (CTC) this year. It is focusing its resources and energies on smaller busi-

ness meetings in October, in collaboration with industry partners, which will take

stock and focus on initiatives to support its members through these challenging eco-

nomic times.

Riley notes that consumers shop and buydifferently in a recession. The CTO has thereforetuned in to the new social media, usingFacebook, Twitter, YouTube and bloggingto promote the Caribbean tourism product.


My Fellow Citizens...

As we approach half a century of sovereignty, it is a good opportunity to bereminded of the watchwords given to us on the attainment of Independence.

Discipline, Production and Tolerance are enduring concepts that con-tributed to producing the best of human civilization.

We should be proud and thankful for the wisdom that provided them asguiding philosophy at the birth of nationhood.

The message to all generations is that, if we apply them in our pursuitsas individuals and as a nation, we would always improve our chances ofsuccess in the face of so many challenges of life.

After forty seven years, our national watchwords remain as relevant asever. I exhort all citizens, particularly our young, to reflect constantlyon these and to rededicate themselves to the inculcation of these values and principles intheir personal and public lives.

Without discipline, there is chaos, mediocrity and failure. We are never at our best without focus,commitment, moderation and willingness to sacrifice and extend ourselves to attain our goals.

Success never comes easy. There can be no great art without discipline and nodiscipline without self-sacrifice. With-out discipline, there is also always theincreased possibility of tragic out-comes like broken homes, unfulfilledpotential, avoidable accidents and pre-mature demise.

So much beauty and promise tragically lost.

Let us strengthen our discipline for thejourney forward. That is our responsibil-ity to ourselves and our country.

Without discipline we will not achieve the very high levels of production that we wereexhorted to reach when we were born as a nation.

Productivity is more critical than ever as we face the serious challenges from an economicslowdown. We must all work harder and become more efficient, creative and resourceful.Trinidad and Tobago needs to maintain a satisfactory momentum in this extremely com-petitive, globalized environment. All citizens must put their shoulders to the wheel. Thatis our inescapable responsibility as citizens of this country. It is also our responsibility to

continue practising the tolerance that has been an important part of thefoundation of our society since Independence.

It has been a fundamental force in the Unity in Diversity to which weadhere in Trinidad and Tobago.

In many ways we have even gone beyond tolerance to deeper under-standing, knowledge and appreciation of the various cultural rivers thatmeet in this nation. There has been so much greater national cohesion asa result. So many new products have been created through the process ofdeepening unity. There must be absolutely no reversal of this progress.

All citizens, particularly our leaders at all levels, have a special re-sponsibility in strengthening the fabric of our society.

Let us always remember the powerful words of the Psalmist remindingus of how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.

In the final analysis, it is that sense of responsibility on the part of all to be disciplined,productive and tolerant that saves the day for any country.

This responsible approach must be exercised in every facet of our lives. We must continueto speak of our rights and protect them as vigorously as we can. But we cannot avoid theobligation to act responsibly in the interest of all. No man is an island, as the poet truly

spoke. We all need one another and theremust be consideration of the family, com-munity and country even as we pursue ourindividual goals.

We each have a responsibility for thepeace, harmony, happiness and prosperityof this country that is irrevocably weddedto the preservation of our democracy andour rights and freedoms as human beings.

Let us always be patriotic and do everythingwe can to be proud nationals of Trinidad and Tobago. Let us together aspire so that we canachieve together for a better Trinidad and Tobago.

I have great pleasure in extending greetings and congratulations to all citizens on thisforty-seventh anniversary of our nation’s attainment of Independence.

May Almighty God bless our Nation.

Thank you and good night.

Message to the nationby the Honourable Patrick Manning,Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago

on the 47th Anniversary of Independence

Without discipline, there is chaos, mediocrity andfailure. We are never at our best without focus,c o m m i t m e n t , m o d e rat i o n a n d w i l l i n g n e ss t osacrifice and extend ourselves to attain our goals.


“I Believe in Jamaica”

Fellow Jamaicans at home and abroad, I greet you on thecommemoration of the 47th anniversary of our Independence. As wereflect on the past and celebrate, let us remember that the true meaningof Independence must evolve from each Jamaican. It should bedetermined by our collective dreams and hopes for our nation, and thekind of society we envision for ourselves and successive generations.

I believe that true independence exists when we are not subject to thecontrol of others, when we do not entrust the shaping of our destinyinto the hands of otahers, who would seek to dictate how we governand conduct our affairs.

In spite of our challenges and setbacks over the past 47 years, we arestill a blessed nation, rich in heritage and abundant in resources. Wehave much for which to give thanks.

There are some in our society who are proud of the achievements of our country since wegained Independence in 1962, while there are others who question whether we are readyto chart our own destiny.

In the past five months as I traveled aroundJamaica, I have met Jamaicans who areweary and disillusioned in the struggle tobuild a good society, while others areindifferent to the things happening aroundthem. On the other hand, I have also met:

• 4-H clubbites in Portland who are learning income-generating skills.• Entrepreneurs in Westmoreland who are investing in and working hard in their industries.• Staff members at the St. Elizabeth Infirmary who keep the place spotless despite

limited resources, and residents who plant kitchen gardens.• I have seen the air conditioned Library in Black River where people of all ages and

abilities go to improve their internet skills and get unlimited information.

• I have met Young people from the counties of Middlesex andSurrey, who have exciting ideas on how they want to contributeto Jamaica.

• Senior citizens in St Ann who are computer savvy and areparticipating in Quiz competitions.

These are examples of what is right with Jamaica and should bereplicated everywhere.

We need to seize the moment now and have each citizen pledge

to participate in the healing, restoration and ultimate prosperity ofour country.

I believe we should use our Independence and our natural and humanresources to build a quality society where values are upheld and goodattitudes prevail.

Today we stand at a crossroad in our national life. There are challengesahead of us. As we go into another year of self rule, we must believe in Jamaica and thattogether as one nation under God we can “accomplish what we will.”

I believe in Jamaica and I believe it isnot too late for us to join hands and heartand herald the ‘new era for our country.’

Let us recommit ourselves to the task ofdoing what we can in our homes andcommunities and acknowledge that within

the challenges that shape our contemporary lives, lie the seeds of opportunity and renewal.I wish for all Jamaicans success, prosperity and peace.

Happy Independence and God bless you.

Sir Patrick Allen, ON, GCMG, CD

Governor-General

Independence Day message bythe Governor-General of Jamaica

His Excellency the Most HonourableSir Patrick Allen

August 6, 2009

I believe in Jamaica and I believe it is not too late for us tojoin hands and heart and herald the ‘new era for our country.’


My fellow Jamaicans, here at home and wherever in the world you may

be. We mark the 47th anniversary of our independence at a time when

Jamaica, like every other country, is feeling the effects of the global

economic crisis. Our economy has come under severe pressure and I

know that many Jamaicans are experiencing additional hardship in their

daily lives.

It is a testing time for us, a test of the strength of our nation and the

resilience of our people to withstand the pressures, weather the storm

and position ourselves for recovery.

We have come through tough times before and Independence is

an appropriate time to remind ourselves of the road we have

travelled, the challenges we have had to face and the difficulties

we have overcome.

Those who were born before Independence, especially our senior

citizens, will have personal recollections of the long, tedious road to Independence,

the struggles of the 1930s to secure the basic rights of our people including the right

to vote and the right of workers to representation and collective bargaining, the

transition to self government in the

1950s and the attainment of

Independence in 1962.

For them, the achievement of

Independence was a cause that inspired,

a dream that they were called to pursue;

hopes that they believed would be

fulfilled. Embedded in that dream and

those hopes was a nation that would be

at peace with itself and the rest of the

world, a nation of vast, untapped

opportunities that would be opened up to create prosperity and a better life for all the

people of Jamaica.

We often bemoan the fact that so much of that dream and so many of those hopes remainunfulfilled; that in these 47 years of Independence there have been too many missteps, toomany lost opportunities, too many failures and disappointments. Yet, we must not allowourselves to be disillusioned or de-motivated for the journey is not over and the race canstill be won. We will pull ourselves through this difficult stretch and we have it within usto make up lost ground and get back in the race.

We must not allow our failures to overshadow our achievements for to do so would be todishonour the work and sacrifices of the many great Jamaican men and women who havehelped to build our nation and create the institutions that have held us together even in the

toughest of times.

Independence Day message bythe Prime Minister of Jamaica

the HonourableBruce Golding

August 6, 2009In the next few days, we will bid our final farewell to an icon of that

struggle, Lady Bustamante. Her passing is a reminder that we did not

reach where we are without the toil and sacrifices of those who have

gone before.

It is not difficult to identify the areas of the greatest deficit in building

on our independence:

• Firstly - the slow pace of economic development and our inability

to provide jobs and a decent standard of living for all our people;

• Secondly - the weaknesses in our education system that deprive

too many of our children of a good education that can make them

productive and an asset to society;

• Thirdly - the lack of respect for the rights of others and the failure

of our legal and justice system to adequately protect and enforce

those rights.

These are the priorities that must be tackled if the dream and hopes of Independence are to

be fulfilled. And they must be tackled with

the same evangelical zeal with which we

pursued the attainment of Independence.

They may not have the same glamour or

evoke the same passion as the quest for

political independence. They may not

pump the same adrenalin as when we were

struggling against a colonial power. But

their essentiality is no less commanding

and their fulfilment no less important.

Indeed, they are the unfinished part of the

Independence campaign.

47 years ago, we took firmly in our own hands the tools of nation building. We accepted full

responsibility for the building of that nation. We must accept responsibility for our failures

and the mistakes we have made, for not having worked hard enough and fast enough. These

are setbacks that we must overcome, ground that we must make up. There were setbacks,

too, in the struggle for independence but we overcame those and achieved that goal.

Despite the setbacks and the harshness of the times, we can overcome. The fruits of

Independence are within our reach even if they are not immediately within our grasp. Let

us rekindle the spirit of Independence. Let us recommit ourselves to fulfilling the dream

and hopes of independence.

Our nation needs us now as much as it ever did before. Let us rise to the occasion. Let us

answer the call.

It is a testing time for us, a test of the strengthof our nation and the resilience of our peopleto withstand the pressures, weather thestorm and position ourselves for recovery.


“I Believe in Jamaica”

My Fellow Jamaicans,

Independence is the Day that signaled the birth of our nation; the Daywe took charge of our own destiny.

August 6, 1962 represents the culmination of the sacrifices and strugglesof scores of Jamaicans. They came from all walks of life and dared tobelieve that as a people we could and should chart our own path.

This day requires that we recall the journey our people have taken sincewinning political self governance.

While many emphasize the weaknesses and missed targets over the pe-riod, we must focus on the several landmark achievements.

The theme for this year’s Independence Day is “I believe in Jamaica”.

Belief in Jamaica is about confidence in who we are as a people.

It reaffirms that we are capable to chartthe course of this nation to a common des-tiny, in which each of us can share as equalstakeholders in the wealth of our country.

Belief in Jamaica means the future is oursto determine; not for others to grant us.

As National Hero Norman Manley asks:

“But who with blood in his veins andpride in his heart would not serve, whento serve is to help to build your owncountry, for its own people, for yourchildren and mine?”

This is the essence of true nationhood; the commitment of each to contribute so that allcan partake.

To believe in Jamaica is a belief in the Nation-Family. We must strengthen the bonds oflove, respect and peace within our own families and within the national family.

All of us must honour our responsibilities as citizens, relating to each otherwith respect.

We can all take strength from the outstanding achievements of our people in the areas ofsport, the sciences, art and education, in academia, music, and culture.

We must rely on our natural talents and skills that make us unstoppable, genius, innova-tive, entrepreneurial, altruistic, gallant and inspirational.

On this day we should celebrate the innovativeness and creativity of the Jamaican people;recognizing that the solutions to the modern struggle lie within us.

After all, we are the land of “tun you han mek fashion”

Our mothers have sustained their families on little or nothing.

Our fathers toiled in the hot sun in the cane fields of Westmoreland, the banana plantations of St.Mary, navigating the Rio Grande in Portland, selling food on the winding roads of St. Thomas.

Independence Day message 2009 fromthe leader of the Opposition

the Most HonourablePortia Simpson Miller, O.N. M.P.

Bending tired backs in the vegetable gardens of St. Elizabeth andthe potato fields of Manchester.

They are the fishermen in St. Catherine, the taxi drivers in Clarendon,the tourism worker in St. James, the medical professional in St. Ann,the fireman in Hanover and the teacher in Trelawny.

They are the captains of industry and the law enforcement officers inKingston and St. Andrew.

Nothing has ever stopped us!

The colonial masters could not kill our spirit and hurricanes never per-manently kept us down. We know how to overcome and we know howto soar.

We do it through hard work, determination, grit, pride and that deephunger to make Jamaica not just the pearl of the Caribbean but the

jewel in the crown of the entire world.

These are the strengths that are alive in us, passed on through time and for genera-tions as indomitable traits coded inour very DNA.

As we approach our fiftieth Anniversaryof Independence we must forge a newaccord as a society.

Each of us must take on the responsibilityto strengthen the institution of the family.

Strong families are the building blocksof a quality society; they are the corner-stone of safe communities.

We must continue to strengthen the role of communities, the church, the school and othercivic organizations so they are reflective of the aspirations of our people and responsive tothe needs of society.

Let us forge a national commitment to renew ourselves as Jamaicans; each with a stake inthe wealth of our society.

This Independence Day –let us emphasize our strengths, and work together to achieve ournational goals.

As Marcus Garvey said in 1932, and which is still relevant today:

“Those of us who love our country cannot, but interest ourselves in this desire to see ourcountry taking a place and standing second to none in the world”.

My fellow Jamaicans,

Let us embrace a national fellowship as sons and daughters of Jamaica; standing andstriving together as our ancestors have done.

I believe that we have a unique opportunity in today’s Jamaica to replace everything thatwas suppressed, repressed or taken away during the days of slavery – with somethingworthwhile, meaningful and lasting

Happy Independence Day my brothers and sisters; and May God continue to bless andprotect us all!

To believe in Jamaica is a belief in theNation-Family. We must strengthen thebonds of love, respect and peace within ourown families and within the national family.

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Florida's Caribbean Sun Newspapers September 2009 Part 1

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Transcript of Florida's Caribbean Sun Newspapers September 2009 Part 1