Omar Anderson, Gleaner Writer
A supporter of Prime Minister P.J. Patterson holds up a sign thanking him for his contribution to the People's National Party. The occasion was the public session of the party's annual conference held at the National Arena, yesterday. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson was yesterday lionised and placed in the realm of outstanding regional leaders.
Glowing tributes were paid to the 70-year-old party leader who told delegates and supporters that he would quit that post he's occupied since 1992, to make way for his successor to lead Government ministers inside Gordon House for the reading of the 2006/2007 Budget.
Yesterday, Danny Roberts, vice-president of the PNP-affiliated National Workers' Union (NWU), said Mr. Patterson was one of three leaders the party produced, whose leadership went beyond Jamaica's and the region's shores.
"No other political party in Jamaica can boast to have had leaders who have impacted on the politics of the region in ways which promote unity, integration, economic and social development," he said at the PNP's 67th annual conference at the National Arena.
"Like Norman Manley and Michael Manley before him, our leader (Patterson) will not be forgotten, for there is a place for him in the annals of outstanding regional leaders," the NWU vice-president said. He added that Mr. Patterson was of the same mettle as the likes of Simon Bolivar, C.L.R. James, Marcus Garvey, Eric Williams and Fidel Castro.
In his tribute, David Coore, a former minister under the Michael Manley government, said Mr. Patterson's accession to PNP president was timely. According to him, the PNP president was elected when there were "new and unprecedented challenges", including globalisation.
"There is no doubt that under P.J's leadership, Jamaica has made an increasingly important contribution to this process of regional co-operation," Mr. Coore stated. "The example he has set in this regard, must be a guiding light for future leaders of our country."
PROFILE OF PRIME MINISTER
Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate: 1969-70
Member of Parliament for East Westmoreland: first elected 1970
Opposition Spokesman for Youth, Sports and Community Development: 1970
PNP National Campaign Director: 1972, 1976 and 1989
Minister of Industry and Tourism: 1972 -77
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade: 1978 -80
Deputy Prime Minister: 1978-80 and 1989-91
Minister of Development, Planning and Production: 1989-90
Minister of Finance and Planning: 1990-91
Chairman, People's National Party: 1983-92
Party President and Prime Minister: 1992-present.
