UPF-Richmond, Virginia, USA - Four Ambassadors for Peace from Richmond and Washington, D.C. flew to Kingston, Jamaica: Ven. Cang Kim, Rev. F. George Russell, Mr. Roderick Jennifer, and Mr. William Russell. Over 80 Ambassadors for Peace, family, friends, and new contacts attended the UPF conference at the Stella Maris Catholic Church Hall, Kingston. The warm, hospitable smiles of Jamaicans welcomed them.
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President of UPF-Jamaica, Mr. Dennis Salmon, welcomed participants. Brother Horace Matthews, Lay Magistrate and Justice of the Peace, Kingston, emceed the program. Leaders in the areas of politics, business, religion, culture and education; many of them active Ambassadors of Peace, attended.
A cuisine of Jamaican delicacies was served: Jerk chicken, rice and beans, fried plantains, tossed salad, and other delights.
Ms. Pat Gooden, a famous Jamaican vocalist, entertained everyone by rendering several Jamaican folk and calypso songs, including "Daay-o," "Linstead Market," and "Island in the Sun." Rev. F. George Russell gave a PowerPoint presentation on "A Culture of Peace: Solution to Violence." He emphasized that in order to solve the problem of violence, the root cause must be dealt with. "Our challenge," he said, "is not to lessen violence, but to solve it from the root.... Rev. Moon has brought this solution from God."
All stood in attention to sing the Jamaican national anthem, "Eternal Father Bless our Land," and six new Ambassadors for Peace were appointed.
Rev. Dr. Martin Schade, executive director of the Sir Howard Cook Character Development Center; gave the invocation for the program. Ven. Cang Kim, Abbot of the Buddhist Monastery of Richmond, gave special greetings on behalf of all Ambassadors for Peace from Richmond.
Door prizes were raffled. First prize was US$100 (JA$8,000); second and third prizes were a mixed bag of gifts from the U.S. (Special thanks to all those who offered support.) Proceeds from the dinner went to support the Character Development Center. A contribution of US$400 (JA$32,000) was given to assist the work of UPF-Jamaica.