[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 148 (Wednesday, November 9, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2316-E2317]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING DAME BILLIE ANTOINETTE MILLER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 9, 2005

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, this coming weekend, between November 10 and 
13 I and more than 20 of our colleagues in the House will be meeting 
and participating in the 10th annual Caribbean Multi-national Business 
Conference sponsored by the New York Carib News in St. Thomas, U.S. 
Virgin Islands where we will be enjoying the hospitality of Carib News 
publishers Karl and Faye Rodney and Delegate Donna Christian 
Christensen. Over the last decade the conference has brought together 
elected officials, civic leaders, entrepreneurs, and executives of 
major corporations to explore opportunities for growth and expansion in 
the emerging markets and developing economies of the Caribbean. The 
conference has significantly contributed to the building of closer 
working relationships and personal ties between Caribbean leadership 
and the Members of Congress who have participated. As we approach this 
year's conference, I wish to recognize and pay tribute to an 
outstanding Caribbean leader, Dame Billie Antoinette Miller by placing 
in the Congressional Record the text of a proclamation to be awarded at 
the conference:

     A Proclamation Celebrating the Accomplishments of Dame Billie 
                           Antoinette Miller

       Whereas, It is a long and honorable tradition for elected 
     Officials to recognize the outstanding contributions of those 
     individuals

[[Page E2317]]

     whose Life Has made an important difference to people 
     Everywhere, especially in their own communities; and
       Whereas, Such persons serve as role models and an 
     Inspiration to people at home and abroad; and
       Whereas, Dame Billie, a national of the independent nation 
     of Barbados in the Caribbean, is unquestionably such a major 
     contributor; and
       Whereas, Dame Billie Miller is being cited and honored at 
     the annual Caribbean Multinational Business Conference 2005 
     in St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands for service to 
     Barbados, the Caribbean and the international community, 
     serving as a member of her nation's parliament for more than 
     25 years; Deputy Prime Minister for almost a decade; Minister 
     of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade since 1994; was the 
     first woman to sit in the cabinet of Barbados, for several 
     years was the only woman serving as an attorney at the 
     private Bar of Barbados, and holds the distinction of being 
     the first woman to be elected Chairman of the Executive 
     Committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association since 
     its establishment in 1911; and
       Whereas, Dame Billie, one of the Caribbean's longest 
     Serving cabinet ministers, was President of the 32nd Regular 
     Session of the General Assembly of the Organization of 
     American States in 2002; was Chairman of the Inter-American 
     Development Bank's Advisory Council on Women and Development 
     in the Western Hemisphere; and in 1998 was President of the 
     African, Caribbean and Pacific States Council of Ministers 
     and is the current chairman of the Inter-American 
     Parliamentary Group on Population and Development in the 
     Western Hemisphere; now, therefore be it
       Resolved, That we salute and commend Dame Billie Miller for 
     her distinguished and unblemished record of service to 
     humanity.

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