Salute To Barack Hussein Obama
44TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BY THE MOST HONOURABLE PORTIA SIMPSON MILLER
It is not often in the course of human events that one person rises to such global significance, that the peoples of the world stand united in a sense of p ride, hope and abundant inspiration in observance of a single moment in time. Today, January 20, 2009 at approximately mid-day (Eastern Standard Time), Barack Hussein Obama, a man of African Descent took the oath of office as the humanPresident of the United States of America and indeed signaled a new reality and 44 th history. a new chapter in
As I watched the proceedings as so many of us across the world did, and listened to the repeated and joyful shouts of his name, Obama, I was transfixed as I listened to his inaugural address, and transported in my mind imagining what other occasions could have brought such significance to a people.
Of certainty, one such event must have been the abolition of the trade in enslaved Africans. Another must have been the promulgation of the Emancipation Act and the promise of freedom and access that has flowed from that. In my own lifetime I witnessed Jamaica’s attainment of political independence and on a personal level I recall with gratitude and humility my ascension to the Office of Prime Minister as the first female Prime Minister of Jamaica.
The events in Washington DC today are interesting for many reasons - not the least of which is that President Obama now occupies and leads the country from The White House, built as the seat of power for the United States of America by black slaves.
1/3
Salute To Barack Hussein Obama
As President of the People’s National Party it is pleasing to see this accomplishment for the Democratic Party of the USA; a Party with which we enjoy a great fraternal relationship. As a politician I continue to be impressed by the organization, execution and policy acumen that has been revealed throughout President Obama’s campaign. As a leader, I am grateful for the ideological companionship by another proponent of the “I C-A-N” philosophy. The Jamaican parliament, the government of Jamaica and the Opposition have a lot to learn and interpret from what is now happening in Washington and across the world. Today, we must acknowledge that the world has changed yet again, and we too must change! We must ensure that even as we navigate through our natural competitiveness on both sides of the aisle in our Parliament, home of the Jamaican legislature; we must forever guide our advocacy with the primary knowledge that it is the home of the Jamaican Legislature. As we navigate the new challenges that our country faces, it is the commitment to the people of Jamaica that must be our primary guide. The times demand a reaffirmation of the greatness of the Jamaican journey and our achievement depends on a sincere acknowledgement that our route to national development is through the pathways of U-N-I-T-Y. I draw on the inspiration and hope, - “The Audacity of Hope” - that has touched us all today, to reaffirm to the people of my beloved Jamaica, that I will with each day commit myself to the actualization of a Common National Vision, - The Pride of a People. What the American dream is to every American the Jamaican pride must now mean to every Jamaican. So that all of us, can have spiritual, physical and financial actualization; as Marcus Mosiah Garvey challenged us – we can accomplish what we will, as Jamaicans living and working in Jamaica in the interest of Jamaica and for all Jamaicans. President Obama has captured the attention of the World from his father’s homeland in Kenya, the Middle East, Europe, Australia and the Caribbean.
2/3
Salute To Barack Hussein Obama
He is a living example of the truth in Martin Luther King’s great dream. Today, we can say with confidence – dream realized! Barack Obama stands today to the American people and others across the world as a symbol of that hope. President Barack Obama is truly a President of the people, by the people for the people. We wish him well and may his presidency be filled with successes and may it inspire hope and peace around the world. We wish for him God’s continued blessing.
3/3