[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E454]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SWEARING IN OF PORTIA SIMPSON-MILLER AS NEW PRIME MINISTER OF JAMAICA

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                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 29, 2006

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Jamaicans on 
the commencement of a new era. This week, Ms. Portia Simpson-Miller 
will be sworn in as the new Prime Minister of the great nation of 
Jamaica as she leads the People's National Party.
  Simpson-Miller has been a passionate, longtime voice for the 
oppressed. Her career in politics has spanned three and a half decades 
most recently as vice president of the PNP since 1978 and president of 
the PNP Women's Movement since 1983. Her previous assignments also 
include several Cabinet portfolios--serving as a Minister of Labour, 
Welfare and Sport and a Minister of Local Government, Community 
Development and Sport. By serving her people diligently, she has earned 
the right to succeed Mr. P.J. Patterson, the island's longest serving 
Prime Minister.
  Simpson-Miller is part of a new generation of leaders representing 
the vanguard of women succeeding in politics throughout Latin America 
and the Caribbean. Not only is her dedication to her people reflected 
in her experience and length of tenure serving in Jamaican politics, 
but also in the throngs of supporters who will rejoice in her 
inauguration. During her election, she was the people's candidate. Now 
she will become the people's Prime Minister--with Jamaicans both on the 
island and abroad, even in the great 15th Congressional District of New 
York hailing her victory.
  Simpson-Miller is a Jamaican success story; an iconic figure who has 
become a metaphor for the hopes and aspirations of poor, 
underprivileged black people, particularly black women. She is a woman 
of faith, conviction and of the people--traits that will surely be 
needed to effectively address the problems of entrenched poverty and 
crime and enhance employment opportunities for youth.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Prime Minister 
Designate Simpson-Miller in assuming her new position this week and in 
holding steadfast to her proven commitment to Jamaicans.

                  [From the CaribNews, Mar. 14, 2006]

          Carib Woman--Jamaica's New Prime Minister-Designate

       Born on December 12, 1945 at Wood Hall, St. Catherine Age, 
     Hon. Portia Simpson Miller was educated at St. Martin's High 
     School; Union Institute and University of Miami, Florida (BA 
     Public Administration); Jamaica Institute of Management/
     University of California, Berkeley (certificate in Advanced 
     Management); and completed Harvard (Executive Program for 
     Leaders in Development at the John F. Kennedy School of 
     Government).
       Simpson Miller was awarded an shonorary doctorate by Union 
     Institute and University for her `enduring efforts to improve 
     the quality of life for all Jamaican citizens regardless of 
     race, class, color or creed'. She is married to businessman, 
     Errald Miller, a former telecoms executive with Cable & 
     Wireless Jamaica; she enjoys reading, music, boxing and 
     horseback riding.
       Her career in politics has spanned three and a half 
     decades; debuting as KSAC councilor in the early 1970s; then 
     Member of Parliament for South West St. Andrew since 1976; 
     vice president of the PNP since 1978; and president, PNP 
     Women's Movement since 1983.
       Simpson Miller has consistently topped opinion polls as 
     Jamaica's most beloved political personality for many years 
     but has had to beat back detractors inside and outside her 
     party who claim she lacks the requisite intellectual and 
     social credits to lead the country.
       Her career in government has included several Cabinet 
     portfolios. As Minister of Labor, Welfare and Sport, she 
     developed a new Overseas Recruitment Center, created the 
     National Insurance Fund, established a chair in Labor Studies 
     at the University of the West Indies, presided over long 
     periods of harmonious relations between employers, workers 
     and trade unions and established the National Council on the 
     Aged. As Minister of Tourism and Sport and Minister of Local 
     Government, Community Development and Sport, she has taken 
     steps to establish a sports medicine and treatment facility 
     for injured athletes. She also has had responsibility for the 
     Women's portfolio.
       Hon. Portia Simpson Miller has undertaken international 
     assignments on local government for the Organization of 
     American States (OAS) and is chair of the Caribbean Forum of 
     Ministers Responsible for Decentralization, Local Government, 
     Community Development and Citizen Participation as well as 
     board member of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum.
       Her campaign focused on themes of empowerment for the 
     marginalized, especially the poor, and uniting all classes to 
     tackle deep-rooted problems of crime and economic 
     underdevelopment.

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