MIAMI – Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Professor Dr. Gordon Shirley said “Jamaica could rise and take its rightful place among the constellation of great nations if we continue to work hard and help our country.”
Speaking at the Jamaica Grand Independence Ball, last Saturday, July 29th, at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Miami, the Ambassador told the nearly 1,000 Jamaicans and friends that while the Jamaican financial sector has been restructured to turn out benefits, he encouraged Jamaican nationals to be part of the investment and development that were now taking place on the island.
The Ambassador cited several non-traditional areas in health and tourism as well as in the area of real estate that persons could benefit personally, at the same time assisting in the country’s economic development.
Turning to the support from the Diaspora, Ambassador Shirley lauded the nationals for the ongoing commitment to the welfare of their island home through charitable giving.
“Our spirit, courage and our families are indicators of how Jamaicans have bind together,” he told his audience.
While Jamaicans remain supportive in their contributions, the Ambassador reiterated to his audience that they should participate in the process of nation building by being a part of any diasporic organization that was contributing to the building of a better nation.
For example, he appealed to his audience to enroll in their alumni organizations in their respective communities, reminding them that our childhood education had prepared us for the successful roles and positions we were now fulfilling today.
The Ambassador acknowledged the legacy of our National Heroes, contributing to our emancipation and the development of Jamaica as a nation. In that regard, he said that in light of our nation’s independence and growth, Jamaicans were to continue in that vein as modern heroes by putting ourselves on the global scale.
The Ambassador received the Keys to the City of Miami.
In his welcome remarks, Consul General Ricardo Allicock praised the efforts of the organizers of the event now in it 22th year, as they continued to support the heritage and culture of our nation, abroad, at the same time assisting in the development of needy children in the wider communities, through the Needy Kids of Jamaica, a Florida-based community charitable organization.
