The growth, reach and accomplishments of the St. Ann Homecoming and Heritage Foundation are testimony of your relevance and hard work. Over the past 11 years, you have held firm to your objective to instill pride in the young people of this parish, and the wider Jamaica, by educating them about the heritage of St. Ann. I am therefore, pleased to celebrate with you, the strides and successes that the Foundation has made over these years.
The unwavering commitment of the civic-minded, local and overseas based volunteers of the Foundation, who sought it fit, to act upon the vision of former Custos the Honourable Radcliffe Walters, so that today is made a reality, must be commended.
The parish of St. Ann has produced outstanding Jamaicans who are shaping twenty first century thinking. Their legacies have provided a strong framework for projecting a Jamaica, as an inspiration for the rest of the world.
It is a noble effort, of this Foundation to honour exceptional St. Annians who have distinguished themselves locally and abroad.
In this, I join you in welcoming back Mrs. Paula Williams Madison, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Madison Media Management and former Vice President & News Director for NBC Universal to share in this function and celebrate her St. Ann heritage.
Likewise, it is insightful that you, this year, posthumously award the Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey; Jamaica’s first National Hero, seminal 21st century political philosopher and native St. Annian.
The Foundation will do well to continue consolidating the public/private sector partnership and leverage the support of St. Annians across Jamaica and in the Diaspora to make this banquet a resounding success to serve the philanthropic ends.
We note the stride made by the recently launched “Children of our Village” educational support programme for the Grade Four Boys at the St. Ann’s Bay Primary School. Their mastery in the Literacy Test and subsequent academic achievements is a ray of hope for many other youngsters.
Do not be weary in well doing. Continue to strengthen the heritage of St. Ann by building on the philosophies of nationhood and self-reliance as postulated by Garvey.
Remember that as a mighty race we can accomplish what we will.
Enjoy this banquet!