Stirring tributes were paid to Prime Minister P J Patterson yesterday by a full spectrum of the leadership of the People’s National Party (PNP) at the party’s 67th annual conference – Patterson’s last as president.

Speaker after speaker hailed Patterson for his contribution since 1958 to the development of the PNP and the state in a range of areas including as a party organiser, campaign manager for the successful bid of Michael Manley to lead the Party in 1968 and as member of parliament, senator and minister of foreign trade and tourism, foreign affairs and foreign trade, development and planning, and finance and planning, as well as prime minister since 1992, a total of 47 years’ service.

In the process it was noted that Patterson had established several records, including leading the party to victory in an unprecedented three elections and contributing to a fourth.

A recurring theme was Patterson’s prodigious memory and concern for the interests of party members and people generally, his unparalleled humanity, his care for the well-being of the youth, the elderly and women.

He was also hailed for showing interest in the country’s development generally, and for contributing to creating a more peaceful and tolerant political culture nationally.

General-secretary of the PNP Women’s Movement, Jennifer Edwards, thanked Patterson for his support of the group.

“You are our energiser and a man in whom we have full confidence,” said Edwards.

PNP Youth Organisation president Andrew O’Kola thanked Patterson for his political commitment on behalf of the thousands of youth in the country.

“His commitment, dedication, love for his party and his country is an epic story that continues to inspire and fire up the young comrades of the PNPYO… his revolutionary programmes on behalf of the youth of Jamaica will forever be a part of his legacy that will stand the test of time and history will elevate him and the people shall call him blessed,” said O’Kola.

“We can recall the National Youth Policy that is guiding the development of programmes on behalf of the youth; the National Youth Service that provides training and employment for thousands; NCYD/JAMVAT that is providing opportunity for community service and payment of tertiary level fees; the Student Loan Fund; examination fee payment at the secondary level;

the provision of micro and small business loans through MIDA and other credit schemes; and other policies and programmes too numerous to mention,” said O’Kola.

Representing the National Workers Union, Vice-President Danny Roberts hailed Patterson for putting in place measures to empower workers, providing affordable housing and fostering a “remarkable transition in the political process”.

“No longer is development undermined by an atmosphere of division, there is greater participation and widening opportunities for development in the country,” said Roberts.

He also commended Patterson for the recent PetroCaribe agreement between Venezuela and the Caribbean which, he said, would protect Jamaica from the worst ravages of the current high oil prices.