[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 156 (Saturday, November 8, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2231-E2232]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      STATEMENT OF REMEMBRANCE OF CHEDDI JAGAN AND MICHAEL MANLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 7, 1997

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember two men 
who, though not Americans, deeply impacted America and the American 
people: Michael Manley and Cheddi Jagan. It is appropriate to remember 
them on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today because as 
we engage in the global market, we need to also be engaged in the 
discussion of global freedom within this structure.
  Just as Toussaint L'Ouverture, the Haitian patriot who led the 
rebellion of 1791 to liberate the slaves in Haiti and helped inspire 
the struggle of African-Americans for their own freedom, Michael Manley 
and Cheddi Jagan, by their example in seeking independence and 
empowerment in their small nations, helped inspire and motivate the 
struggle for equality and empowerment in post-World War II America and 
throughout the world.
  Michael Manley and Cheddi Jagan lived very different lives in very 
different countries but their struggles in life seemed to intersect 
just as their untimely deaths within days of each other brought them 
together at death. The Caribbean lost two giants in 2 days. They were 
both outstanding patriots and freedom fighters and their struggle 
echoed throughout the world. They were both practitioners of the art of 
mass struggle and devoted their lives to the common people. Respect and 
admiration for their lives and works extends far beyond the Caribbean.
  Cheddi Jagan was the former President of Guyana and Michael Manley 
was the former Prime Minister of Jamaica. The world press, especially 
the Caribbean press acknowledged that the movement for self-rule, 
economic freedom and justice, workers rights, and human rights has 
suffered a great loss in these two visionaries.
  Dr. Jagan, the son of indentured Indian immigrants and a U.S. 
trained, Howard Dental

[[Page E2232]]

School and Chicago's Northwestern University, dentist, has been 
described by many as champion of the poor. Disgusted by conditions in 
then British Guiana, Jagan became involved in the labor movement and 
was elected to the colonial legislature in 1947.
  Jagan, founded the Peoples' Progressive Party which the dominant 
political force in the 1950's until the British Government sent in 
troops and forced Jagan's resignation as Prime Minister. Jagan helped 
Guyana to independence from British rule in 1996. Dr. Jagan was 
reelected in 1992.
  Jagan was the author of a host of books on Caribbean history. His 
writings brought the Caribbean region to the attention of the world and 
filed in important parts of the history of the Americas. Dr. Jagan was 
a special kind of visionary: one who dreamed of a better day and could 
put it into motion.
  Michael Manley was a great orator, a champion of human rights and a 
statesman of courage and conviction. Jamaica's most charismatic leader, 
he was acknowledged to be the central, driving force in cementing 
Caribbean unity and establishing a Caribbean community.
  Manley, the son of Peoples' National Party founder Norman Manley and 
Edna Manley an artist and sculptor, went to war at age 19 as a member 
of the Royal Canadian Air Force. After the war he went to Jamaica 
College, became an activist in the West Indies Student Association. 
After graduation he became a journalist, and influenced by his 
experiences became involved in the trade union movement.
  After his farther's death he became a leader of the PNP and was 
elected Prime Minister 3 years later in 1972. He served as Prime 
Minister for 11 years and then was reelected in 1989 and served until 
health problems forced him to resign in 1992. It was said of Manley, 
``He showed us that the politics of nation, the ideologies and theories 
of government, are as relevant to the school girls and boys as to the 
guys in parliament.''
  As we remember these two great gentlemen whose hard work, tireless 
determination, tenacity, and altruistic dedication for peace, justice, 
human and civil rights, self rule and empowerment, education, jobs and 
health care we are inspired to draw great strength from the common 
roots we share, the common problems we face and the common belief that 
the will and improvement of the people is the best and, ultimately, 
only guarantee of democracy.

                          ____________________