View of Manhattan Island, New York from the sky.PRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson toured Harlem last week as part of activities by members of the Jamaican community to mark the 49th anniversary of the country's Independence.
Mr. Patterson's first stop was the world famous Apollo Theatre where he was named "Apollo Legend" and given an Apollo vintage jacket.
He was "introduced" to the famous stump - the Tree of Hope" - which occupies an important place on the Apollo stage, which every amateur performer must rub before performing as a part of tradition.
Senior Vice President of New Business Development and Communications at the Apollo, Nicole Bernard, said the Prime Minister's visit was organised in tandem with "Harlem Week", a month-long series of activities saluting the rich culture of the Harlem community.
Miss Bernard, a Jamaican, pointed out that Caribbean people and Jamaicans in particular, have contributed greatly to Harlem area and are part of its rich history.
"There are many throughout the community who are Apollo legends in their own right, the Marcus Mosiah Garveys, the Harry Belafontes and others," she said .
She added that many Jaaicans live and work in Harlem, and that more than 50 per cent of the staff at the Apollo were either Jamaican born or of Jamaican descent.
After leaving the Apollo, Mr. Patterson visited several other sites in Harlem. He later met with political, business and community leaders at a luncheon nearby Columbia University.
Among those were Congress-man Charles Rangel; former Mayor of New York City, David Dinkins; Borough President for Manhattan, Virginia Fields; Jim Harding from the Office of New York Governor, George Pataki; and President of the Harlem Chamber of Commerce, Lloyd Williams, who is a Jamaican.
Addressing the group, Mr. Patterson hailed the redevelopment efforts in Harlem, noting that it was a model of the renewal project being undertaken in the inner cities of Kingston. "Perhaps in this way we can be partners," he said.
The Prime Minister said it was appropriate that he should be visiting Harlem during their week of celebration of "Harlem Week", which was a celebration of black culture.
He said Harlem had given home and comfort to many Caribbean people, including Jamaica's own Marcus Garvey and Claude McKay.
On Jamaica's Independence anniversary, Mr. Patterson observed that 40 years was a relatively short time in the life of a nation, but quipped that it is said "life begins at 40"
"Jamaica is now full of life, full of vibrancy and is well on the path to not only enriching the democratic process but serving as a beacon of prosperity and social progress in the hemisphere of the Americas," he said. The Harlem Chamber of Commerce later presented the Prime Minister with an "International Leadership Award."
Mr. Patterson ended his visit to New York on August 12.
