Members of Diaspora Urged to Safeguard Heritage

Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks, has urged members of the diaspora, to safeguard Jamaica’s heritage and “continue to build the Jamaican spirit, vision and ethos for our secured future”.

Addressing members of the Jamaican community and friends of Jamaica in Washington at a reception to mark Jamaica’s 55th year of Independence at the Organization of American States (OAS) headquarters on August 6, Mrs. Marks pointed out that “under astute leadership, Jamaica has begun to deliver on the promise so eloquently laid out on August 6, 1962, by carving out its own niche within the pantheon of the world’s marketplace”.

She said this year’s theme – ‘Celebrating Jamaicans at home and abroad’ – has reminded that as a people with a noble heritage, “we have made considerable achievements, making us arguably the greatest little country in the world”.

Ambassador Marks said despite the challenges, “we must be proud of the fact that Jamaicans, the world over, continue to rank high in virtually every field of human endeavour – academic and scientific achievement, political and economic development, in the cultural arena as well as in sports”.

She congratulated members of the diaspora for the positive role they have played in the development of the Jamaican nation, as well as their adoptive country, noting that the recently concluded Diaspora Conference affirmed yet again that the Jamaican people are determined to find pathways to success.

The reception, which was well attended by Jamaicans from all over the United States, featured celebrated songstress, Karen Smith, who performed a variety of Jamaican songs.

The annual Independence thanksgiving church service, which took place at the Howard University Dunbarton Chapel, preceded the reception.