Former PM to be Honoured by Caribbean Lawyers

Former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson will be honoured by the Caribbean Bar Association’s (CBA) South Florida chapter for outstanding contribution to the Caribbean American community as well as his work in the development of CARICOM and the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME). At the association’s 12th annual awards banquet slated for Saturday (Sept. 29) at the Westin Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood, Mr. Patterson will be presented with the CBA’s first ever Government Award.
Mr. Patterson, who retired from the post of Prime Minister in February 2006, after having served for 14 years in that capacity, will be the guest speaker at the awards function.
Florida’s Governor, Charlie Crist will also receive the Government Award, while the Community Service Award will be presented to Commissioner Winston Barnes of the City of Miramar, who is also a Jamaican national. Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale will be honoured for its continued support and contribution to the Caribbean American community.
The evening’s entertainment package will include Caribbean cultural performances and exhibits.
The Caribbean Bar Association was founded in 1994 by three Jamaican lawyers in South Florida and has grown to an enrolment of almost 200 attorneys from the Caribbean American communities in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, who are practising in several areas of law.
Other chapters are now active in Central Florida serving Tampa, Orlando and Melbourne areas.