Michele Rollins Honorary Patron st It is exci琀椀ng to share this 61 Anniversary of Jamaica’s Independence, hosted by our Consulate General of Jamaica in associa琀椀on with Jamaica’s Promise. The Country has grown on so many levels, a tourist MECCA for the world, the Jamaican stock exchange as the center of its business community. But Jamaica’s largest contribu琀椀on to the western world is its people. Whether it is the nurses deployed around the globe or its hospitality personnel in all corners of the vaca琀椀on world, the Jamaican people are the essence of what is Jamaica. I sat in a co昀昀ee shop in Ukraine and listened to Bob Marley before the Russian invasion- the music, the musician- recognizable everywhere. I’ve eaten jerk seasoned food on several con琀椀nents. The world even recognizes Scotchies, the jerk center of Jamai- ca. The fruits and vegetables, the pumpkin soup and of course THE MANGO. Brown stewed chicken, escovitched snapper are all part of the sensory appeal of Jamaica. The wellness center emphasizes the herbs and spices that contribute to good health and provide healing. The landscape of fabulous 昀氀owers and vegeta琀椀on welcoming visitors and Jamaican alike when we step o昀昀 the plane. Jamaica has come of age with the World Bank President, Ajay Banga, having high praises for Jamaica’s current eco- nomic health, no琀椀ng that the country has managed its macro situa琀椀on very well with growth surpassing pre-COVID levels. The na琀椀onal debt policy, favoured by both poli琀椀cal par琀椀es, has delivered debt now below pre-covid levels. Jamaica has “grown into its skin” while the government tackle issues of crime, educa琀椀on, health, and infrastructure to name a few. The Rollins family looks forward to the next decades of Jamaica’s development. Rose Hall was created in 1963. We have watched Jamaica grow. What will the next sixty-one years mean to this island jewel? My thanks to you all for suppor琀椀ng and a琀琀ending this great event. You are what makes Jamaica great! 12 12