[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 135 (Wednesday, October 25, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE HUGH DESMOND HOYTE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 25, 2000

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize His Excellency, the 
Honorable Hugh Desmond Hoyte, the former President of Guyana and 
current leader of the People's National Congress.
  During his Presidency from August 1985 to October 1992, Mr. Hoyte 
initiated far-reaching electoral and economic reforms that strengthened 
the bases of the democratic culture of Guyana, promoted market-oriented 
policies and stimulated economic growth. Prior to becoming President, 
Mr. Hoyte served as First Vice President and Prime Minister. In 
addition, he held numerous Ministerial posts, including those of Home 
Affairs, Finance, Works and Communications, and Economic Development.
  As a Minister of Government, Mr. Hoyte had at various times 
responsibility for African, Caribbean and Pacific affairs under the 
Lome Convention. His portfolio also included Caribbean Community 
Affairs. As a member of its Conference, the Heads of Government of the 
Caribbean Community charged him with responsibility for promoting 
freedom of movement within the Community and for coordinating the 
Caribbean Community's policy on the environment for the Earth Summit in 
Rio in 1992.
  In fact, Mr. Hoyte has always taken a keen interest in ecological and 
environmental matters, working closely with the London-based 
Commonwealth Human Ecology Council. He is the architect of the Iwokrama 
International Rainforest Project in Guyana, which he initiated as the 
Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 
in 1989.
  Born in Georgetown, Guyana in March 1929, Mr. Hoyte received B.A. and 
LL.B. degrees from the University of London. He is a British-trained 
lawyer, a Barrister-at-Law of the Honourable Society of the Middle 
Temple and a Member of the Guyana Bar. He was appointed to the Queen's 
Council in 1969, and his designation was changed to Senior Counsel in 
1970 when Guyana became a republic.
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Hoyte is more than worthy of receiving this honor 
and our praises, and I hope that all of my colleagues will join his 
wife, Joyce Hoyte, and me in recognizing this truly remarkable man.

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