Tulsa World: Antigua's highest peak renamed 'Mount Obama'

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Antigua's highest peak renamed 'Mount Obama'

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer unveils a stone sculpture and plaque naming Antigua's highest mountain "Mount Obama" on Tuesday in St. John's, Antigua. Watching is Brent Hardt, a U.S. Embassy official in Barbados. Johnny Jno-Baptiste/Associated Press

By Associated Press
Published: 8/5/2009 2:24 AM
Last Modified: 8/5/2009 4:34 AM

Antigua's highest mountain officially became "Mount Obama" on Tuesday as the small Caribbean country celebrated the U.S. president on his birthday and saluted him as a symbol of black achievement.

Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer presided over the re-christening ceremony at the base of the mountain, unveiling a stone sculpture and plaque honoring Obama as an inspiration in the twin- island country of Antigua and Barbuda and throughout the Caribbean.

"This great political achievement by Barack Obama resonated with me in a way that I felt compelled to do something symbolic and inspiring," Spencer told the crowd of about 300, including several U.S. officials, at the base of the mountain near the island's southern coast.

The plaque on the rock sculpture at the base of the mountain reads: "Mount Obama, named in honor of the historical election on Nov. 4, 2008, of Barack Hussein Obama, the first black president of the United States of America, as a symbol of excellence, triumph, hope and dignity for all people."

Spencer announced his intention to rename the mountain, previously known as Boggy Peak, shortly after the election. The gesture reflected the U.S. leader's popularity in the country. By Associated Press

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Red Barron, (8/5/2009 8:56:42 AM)

Won't be near as high as the debt he is running up for our kids and grandkids to pay.

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