[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 156 (Tuesday, October 16, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2143-E2144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            PRAISING TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO PM PATRICK MANNING

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 16, 2007

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Prime Minister 
of Trinidad and Tobago, Hon. Patrick M. Manning, whose triumphs were 
fittingly and deservingly acknowledged by Medgar Evers College on 
September 26, 2007. The head of government was presented with an 
honorary Doctor of Laws degree, according to a New York CARIB News 
article published on September 25, 2007, titled ``Medgar Evers College 
Honors Prime Minister Manning Of T&T.''
  Mr. Manning is noted for his fervid defense of democracy in the 
region and as a generous supporter of his struggling neighbors. A 
liberal democracy known as a leader among its peers, Trinidad and 
Tobago is a steadfast member of CARICOM--the regional pact intent on 
economic integration--and it sits on the recently created Caribbean 
Court of Justice. But Mr. Manning is well-reputed for striving to 
bolster his nation's political and economic prowess even further, 
vowing to surge it to developed-country status by the year 2020.
  The Prime Minister has kept a keen and perceptive eye on the future, 
all the while refusing to forsake those peers embattled with a 
harrowing present. He is to be lauded for possessing the foresight and 
wherewithal to dream an ambitious destiny for the Caribbean and set it 
on the path towards getting there.

             [From The New York CARIB, September 25, 2007]

       Medgar Evers College Honors Prime Minister Manning of T&T

       The Hon. Patrick M. Manning, Prime Minister of the Republic 
     of Trinidad and Tobago, will be honored by Medgar Evers 
     College on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 with the conference 
     of a Doctor of Laws degree--Honoris Causa. The ceremony will 
     take place at 10.00 a.m. in the Founders Auditorium. Prime 
     Minister Manning is expected to deliver a major address on 
     the occasion.

[[Page E2144]]

       Prime Minister Manning's statement will address ``The Role 
     of Trinidad and Tobago in Shaping Regional and Global 
     Affairs.''
       Trinidad and Tobago, a liberal democracy located in the 
     southern Caribbean, is a political leader in the region. The 
     country is a member of the Caribbean Community and Common 
     Market (CARICOM)--a regional organization aimed at the 
     ultimate integration of its member economies--and also the 
     Seat of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)--the recently 
     established regional judicial tribunal.
       ``Medgar Evers College welcomes Prime Minister Manning in 
     the spirit of ongoing international exchange. His visit is 
     yet another indication that our work here at Medgar is 
     receiving worldwide recognition,'' says Dr. Edison O. 
     Jackson, President of Medgar Evers College.
       The College has been a venue of choice for several 
     government dignitaries speaking on issues of global import 
     such as Director General of US Commercial Services Israel 
     Hernandez, who spoke on the Bush Administration's Economic 
     and Trade Initiatives.

                      About Prime Minister Manning

       The Honorable Patrick Manning was elected to his third term 
     of office as the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago on 
     October 7, 2002. Born in San Fernando in 1946, Mr. Manning 
     entered politics in 1971, at the tender age of 24, emerging 
     victorious in the general elections as the People's National 
     Movement candidate for the Constituency of San Fernando East.
       Under two Prime Ministers, young Representative Manning 
     served as Parliamentary Secretary in Ministries ranging from 
     Works and Transport, Industry and Commerce, to Petroleum and 
     Mines. He became a full-fledged Minister in 1981 holding the 
     Industry and Commerce, and Information portfolios, then 
     Energy and National Resources. In 1986, he became the Leader 
     of the Opposition and within two months was elected to the 
     post of Political Leader of the PNM.
       In 1991 Mr. Manning was elected Prime Minister of Trinidad 
     and Tobago. Four years later he returned to opposition after 
     a loss in the general election of 1995. In 2001, after a 
     deadlock in the House of Representatives, Mr. Manning was 
     appointed Prime Minister by President Arthur N.R. Robinson. A 
     general election was then held on October 7, 2002 and Mr. 
     Manning again emerged victorious. He is currently the Prime 
     Minister and the Minister of Finance.
       Prime Minister Manning is well-respected in the 
     international community for his vision as a new-style 
     Caribbean leader dedicated to propelling his nation to 
     developed country status by 2020, while simultaneously 
     contributing to the development of fellow regional states.
       His accolades include the Guyana Institute for Democracy 
     ``Democracy Prize'' for his outstanding work in upholding the 
     principles of democracy in the Caribbean region (December 
     2003) and the Caribbean--Central American Action's ``Star of 
     the Caribbean Award,'' for his unwavering support of 
     Caribbean neighbors in their time of distress (December 
     2004).
       Mr. Manning attained his primary and secondary education in 
     South Trinidad followed by his B.Sc. Degree (Special Honors) 
     in Geology at the University of the West Indies, Mona, 
     Jamaica.
       He is married to the Honorable Senator Hazel Manning, 
     current Minister of Education, and they have two sons--Brian 
     and David.

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