By Hillary Rodham Clinton
U.S. Secretary of State

WASHINGTON – On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of Jamaica as you celebrate a half-century of independence this August 6.

This is an opportunity to reflect on your decades of progress as you continue to build a brighter future.

For 50 years, the United States and Jamaica have enjoyed a close friendship based on trust and mutual interest, strengthened by the people-to-people ties and a vibrant Jamaican-American community. Our collaboration within the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative is helping us move toward a safer and more secure environment for our citizens, and I am confident that our efforts will result in increased prosperity and stability for Jamaica and the United States.

I am looking forward to working even more closely together to promote sustainable economic development, particularly through the Caribbean IdEA Marketplace.

Congratulations on this special day and best wishes for continued peace and prosperity in the year to come.