Statement on the Inauguration of Barack Obama

STATEMENT BY THE HON PRIME MINISTER OF ANTIGUA & BARBUDA
WINSTON BALDWIN SPENCER

On the
Inauguration of Barack Obama
As President of the United States of America

Today is a momentous moment not only for people of colour, but for people of all races around the world.

Regardless of where you stand politically, the inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States of America is a seminal day in the history of this nation and, indeed, the world. Today, the United States of America, the world’s greatest country, acknowledged in deed the words of its Pledge of Allegiance, “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” And, with the swearing-in of its 44th President, it further acknowledged what we, here in Antigua & Barbuda, already knew: That Barack Obama is first among equals.

Accordingly, in keeping with my Government’s earlier stated intention, I now re-commit to honouring President Barack Obama and his magnificent and never-to-be-duplicated accomplishment by renaming our Boggy Peak “Mount Obama.”

The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda will now move to institute a body of appropriate persons and organizations to plan the renaming and subsequent transformation of Boggy Peak into Mount Obama. It is anticipated that the celebrations to honour this son of African descent will coincide with his 48th birthday, on August 4th of this year, and will add an even greater significance to our Carnival festivities, which, at core, celebrate the Black man’s Emancipation from slavery.

I join people of colour all over the world, and indeed all people, in celebrating this historic occasion which I am certain will ignite action from people the world over to aim high despite inadequacies and injustice.

May God bless our nation Antigua and Barbuda; the United States of America; President Barack Obama and his family.