Rousing welcome for Prime Minister Patrick Manning at GID Awards Dinner

Caribbean-Americans turned out in full force to pack Brooklyn's Grand Prospect Hall last month as Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister, Patrick A. M. Manning, accepted the Guyana Institute for Democracy's (GID) 2003 and first ever "Democracy Prize." The Award ceremony also attracted the entire echelon of New York City elected officials. Among the dignitaries who attended the GID function were; Hon. Dennis Walcott, Deputy Mayor of New York City; Hon. Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President, and several state senators, City Council members and various Caribbean diplomats.

Just before attending the Awards Dinner, Prime Minister Manning, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Hon. Cynthia Pratt; GID President Rickford Burke; GID General Secretary, Hyacinth Joseph and New York City Council Councilmember, Dr. Kendall Stewart, met and held discussions with New York Governor, George E. Pataki. The Governor's delegation included Chairman of the Empire State Development Corporation and former US Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Charles Gargano and Hon. Una Clarke, Advisor to the Governor.

The Awards presentation then commenced with Barbadian Consul General, Hon. Jessica Odle, accepting the Crystal Public Health Award on behalf of Dr. George Alleyne, Chancellor of the University of the West Indies. Popular New York City Councilmember Hon. Yvette Clarke copped the Crystal Leadership Award for 2003. Other honorees were former Guyanese Minister of Health and Vascular Surgeon, Dr. Noel Blackman; Dr. Stephen Carryl and the Overseas Medical Assistance Team (OMAT); Dental Surgeon, Dr. Joseph Radix; Educator Dr. Walter Kyte; Businessman Charles Farinha and CITIBANK Vice President, Patricia Jordan Langford.

Deputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Hon. Cynthia Pratt, captivated the audience with her oratory as she delivered an inspiring keynote address. She touted Mr. Manning's leadership qualities and congratulated him on winning the Prize. After receiving the "Democracy Prize," Prime Minister Patrick Manning was showered with a myriad of congratulatory proclamations from every level of United States government.

Accepting the Award bestowed by GID, Mr. Manning congratulated the Institute for its efforts to promote democracy in the Region and for establishing the Prize. He recounted the major highlights of his political career and expressed his gratitude to GID for honoring him. He said that he accepted the award on behalf of all of the people of Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean Region.