Recognizing the week of April 22nd to April 28th as Jamaica Week in Philadelphia in honor of Jamaica's 50th Independence Anniversary.

WHEREAS, Jamaica received its independence on August 6, 1962; and

WHEREAS, Jamaica is celebrating its 50th year as an independent State; and

WHEREAS, The Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Honorable Portia Simpson Miller, will visit Philadelphia on April 28th to celebrate said 50th Anniversary; and

WHEREAS, The Greater Philadelphia Area is home to over 100,000 people of the African Caribbean Diaspora; and

WHEREAS, Jamaicans make up a significant portion of said Diaspora; and

WHEREAS, The Jamaican contributions to Philadelphia are significant in the areas of education, business, technology, public service, religion, culture, music, entertainment and sports; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia is home to many popular Jamaican cuisine establishments including but not limited to the Caribbean Feast Restaurant, the Jamaican Jerk Hut, Caribbean Café, and the Caribbean Delight Restaurant; and

WHEREAS, Team Jamaica Bickle Inc. (TJB), is a leading organization in sports, providing support services for Caribbean athletes, particularly Jamaicans who compete at the annual Penn Relays, which will be held from April 26th to April 28th , 2012 at the University of Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, The Penn Relays is now the most attended Track and Field competition in the United States with over 110,000 attendees; and

WHEREAS, Jamaicans are now the leaders in International Track and Field with both the fastest man and the fastest woman in the world; now therefore, be it,

RESOLVED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA, Declares April 22nd to April 28th , 2012 as Jamaica Week in the City of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Prime Minister of Jamaica as a sincere expression of City Council's appreciation and support for the Jamaican community.

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