A Message from the Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica

Jamaica Foundation of Houston’s Annual Gala celebrating Jamaica’s 61st Year of Independence

It is with a sense of great pride that I join my fellow Jamaicans at home and abroad to celebrate the 61st anniversary of our independence as a nation. Indeed, it is an honour as Prime Minister to say to my Jamaican family in the Diaspora, happy independence. As a non-profit organization, the Jamaica Foundation of Houston (JFH) has shown its dedication to serving the Diaspora by strengthening the cultural ties between Caribbean people and Houston through educational, charitable, and civic activities since 1980. And, of this commitment to preserve our Jamaican culture and the well-being of other people, we are proud of JFH.

In this regard, the preservation of our culture is also important. We must continue concerted efforts to promote and preserve our culture to bequeath to our youth through the activities of the foundation.

Since our independence in 1962, our little island nation Jamaica has experienced significant changes and transformation in several areas, becoming world leaders in many aspects such as athletics, culture, gastronomy, and tourism.

As we celebrate Jamaica 61, we reflect on how far we have come as a nation. We recall our challenges over the years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our economy and people emerged more resilient. Improvements in our fiscal, monetary, and structural reforms have enabled the restoration of macroeconomic stability and improved our fiscal performance.

Indeed, our positive recovery from the pandemic, coupled with good governance, enabled us to celebrate even more triumphs. These include major infrastructural development, new roads, a record number of houses built and sold at affordable rates, improvements in social welfare with an increase in National Insurance Scheme (NIS) payment and improvements and increases to services to the indigent population.

In addition, we have also improved access to education by now making the HEART NSTA TRUST free to all Jamaicans up to the associate degree level. Moreover, our citizens can now reap the benefits of improved financial stability with increased net reserves, improved compensation for public sector workers and a 44% increase in the minimum wage. We have made significant strides in technological advancements and continue to make plans to preserve our culture and advance our welfare.

At the same time, we must preserve and protect the nation’s legacy of unity, peace, love, and prosperity, which our ancestors fought hard to attain. The deeply rooted, indomitable ancestral spirits truly make us who we are today, strong, proud, and resilient Jamaicans.

Indeed, I am confident that the publication of the Gala Souvenir Booklet will stimulate greater pride in the history of this great nation. As we celebrate our great nation and host your preeminent social and fundraising event of the year, we raise funds from this event to support our young people with scholarships.

Undoubtedly, we will continue making giant steps towards national development and strive to achieve our vision to make Jamaica the place of choice to live, work, raise families, do business, and retire in paradise.

As JFH continues to accomplish its vision, “Know Jamaica, make her known”, let us stand proudly and applaud ourselves for our accomplishments thus far. We have come too far to turn back now. Let us build on the past, celebrate the present and improve in the future.

Happy 61 Jamaica land we love.

The Most Hon. Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP