National Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips (left), shares in the farewell function of Jamaica's Consul General to Miami, John P. Atkins (centre), who is retiring after eight years in the position. From left, Winsome Charlton, Norma Darby and David Rowe complete the picture. - Contributed IT WAS a farewell function with a difference -- tinged with sadness but highly enjoyable. The gathering of Jamaicans who turned up at the Wyndham Grand Bay Hotel in Coconut Grove to say good-bye to Jamaica's Consul General to Miami, John Atkins, agreed that it was like a commemoration of Mr. Atkins' service to their community.
Amid the speeches, humour, gift-giving, music and food, each speaker spoke in glowing terms of Mr. Atkins, a former trade unionist and Senator who served as Consul General for eight years.
Attorney-at-law, David Rowe, whose pro bono association with the Jamaican Consulate is well known, captured splendidly the highlights of Mr. Atkins service as he drew parallels to the Burning Spear of Africa.
"Jomo Kenyatta, the Kenyan Patriot, was called the Burning Spear and when I think of Mr. Atkin's contributions I think of the Burning Spear which means literally 'fight and light'. And Mr. Atkins took up the fight and has left us plenty of light," Mr. Rowe said.
He cited examples of how Mr. Atkins championed the cause of the 'Forgotten Jamaicans', in prison, on probation, in hospital and on Death Row. He referred to his fight on behalf of Rastafarians and women prisoners who were being sexually exploited at Turner Guilford Facility.
Mr. Rowe noted that Mr. Atkins has influenced United States policy not only in respect of Jamaica but the entire Caribbean. "Perhaps Consul General Atkins' most lasting contribution in the so-called fight will be his championing the Consular Notification System which obligates municipal police offices in Florida to immediately report to the respective Consulates the arrest and detention of their nationals."
He lauded Mr. Atkins for embracing Jamaican cultural groups and pointed to his involvement in trade initiatives and delegations.
National Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips brought greetings from the Government of Jamaica. He noted that Mr. Atkins will be domiciled in South Florida but appealed to him to continue his participation in the development of his country.
In responding, Mr. Atkins spoke of the privileges of public service. "My decision to become a public servant was a deliberate one. I was attracted to the vision of an emerging Jamaica, that the population should arise and build a better country," he told the gathering.
Mr. Atkins said during his tenure he has seen closer association of the Caribbean Consular Officers. He said there's greater sensitivity of the Federal, State, County and Municipal authorities in the United States and particularly in Florida, to the special needs of the Caribbean on the macro level and to the special problems of Jamaicans who fall foul of the law in Florida.
Other tributes came from the Consular Corps, political leaders of South Florida, including Mayor Sam Brown of Lauderdale Lakes and Commissioner Hazel Rogers and Air Jamaica.
Another memorable highlight of the two-hour programme was the music of the venerable Keith Lyn with hits like "Empty Chair" which stirred pleasant hometown memories. He was in fine form and his energy never flagged during the evening.
