Brooklyn, NY October 13, 2008: The Grenada Independence Anniversary Steering Committee of New York has commenced plans for celebration of the country’s 35th Anniversary of political independence.

In his opening remarks at the first meeting on Oct. 12, 2008, held at St. Gregory the Great Parish School located at 991 St. Johns Place in Brooklyn; Chairman elect, Derek Ventour of the Brooklyn-based Dee Vee International Production, urged members to participate fully and creatively to ensure that the coming celebrations surpass the standard of this year.

During the meeting, several ideas were discussed for a week-long Independence program and recommendations sought for ways of improving the celebrations in anticipation of next year’s 35th anniversary commencing on January 31 and ending on February 8, 2009.

Meanwhile members of the public are invited to submit written nominations for the 2009 Independence Awards from the wider Grenadian community in the United States.

The public nomination process will help the committee to identify a pool of qualified person or organization that best fit the selection criteria for the award. By drawing on the cumulative knowledge of our community, the written nomination process helps us to document and enrich our understanding of the candidates’ contributions.

If members of the public, including organizations, feel strongly about someone or group who has contributed to the community and deserves the highest recognition, they are asked to submit nomination recommending that person/group along with a biography.

Criteria

1. By their work in development, business, education, culture, or public service, the candidate has made a significant and lasting contribution to the advancement of the Grenadian community in the United States.

2. Special consideration will be given to a candidate’s lifelong accomplishments, contributions to more than one area of development; business, education, or public service and the ultimate benefit of their contribution to society.

3. Selections will be made without regard to age, citizenship status, disability, gender/sex, marital status, political persuasion, religion, or level of formal education; as long as their contribution can be linked to the development of Grenada.

Nominations must be submitted (signed by the nominator) and must include the nominator’s name, address and telephone number to:

The Chairperson

Grenada Independence Anniversary Committee of New York

C/O The Consulate General of Grenada

800 2^nd Ave. Suite 400K, New York, NY 10017

Don’t delay – Nominations close on November 30, 2008

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