[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 145 (Tuesday, December 2, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1684-E1685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO HER EXCELLENCY DEBORAH-MAE LOVELL, AMBASSADOR OF ANTIGUA AND 
                                BARBUDA

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONALD M. PAYNE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 2, 2014

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of 
Representatives to join me as I rise to pay tribute to H.E. Deborah-Mae 
Lovell, Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador to the United States of 
America

[[Page E1685]]

and Antigua and Barbuda's Permanent Representative to the Organization 
of American States (OAS) who distinguished herself in strengthening the 
bonds of friendship between Antigua and Barbuda and our country as well 
as by her work through the OAS in promoting peace and goodwill in our 
hemisphere. Ambassador Lovell will enter into retirement on December 1, 
2014 having served her country for over thirty-one years, ten of which 
were spent in the roles of Ambassador and Permanent Representative in 
Washington D.C.
   As Ambassador to the United States of America, Ambassador Lovell 
built bridges of understanding at both the executive and legislative 
branches where she consistently engaged officials on the imperative of 
implementing mutually beneficial policies. Beyond this, she earned the 
trust of the fourteen member independent countries of the Caribbean 
Community (CARICOM) to lead discussions with members of the legislative 
branch on issues ranging from energy through security and immigration 
to trade. Always active in promoting the rights of the underserved and 
the underrepresented, Ambassador Lovell was a passionate advocate for 
youth, afro-descents and women at the OAS. Propelled by the belief that 
young people are our investment in the future, she identified youth 
empowerment as the theme when she chaired the Permanent Council of the 
OAS. Her initiative was complemented by the thirty-four Foreign 
Ministers and Representatives of the highest policy making body of the 
OAS, the General Assembly, (the Thirty-Eighth Regular Session) who 
crafted a declaration, Youth and Democratic Values, that committed the 
hemisphere to strengthening the political, social and economic 
participation of youth in the democratic process.
   During Ambassador Lovell's tenure, Antigua and Barbuda spearheaded 
the adoption of two landmark Conventions at the OAS that would help to 
eliminate racism and intolerance. These were the Inter-American 
Convention against Racism, Racial Discrimination and Related Forms of 
Intolerance and the Inter-American Convention on All Forms of 
Discrimination and Intolerance. Furthermore, on the question of women's 
rights, Ambassador Lovell has championed women entrepreneurship and has 
worked against domestic violence.
   Ambassador Lovell is an ardent believer in international cooperation 
and by forming partnerships with friendly countries; she has laid the 
groundwork in establishing a modern address system for her country that 
would lead to the better provision of government services such as the 
distribution of utilities. In 2010, Ambassador Lovell was bestowed a 
knighthood, the highest honor of Antigua and Barbuda for her services 
rendered in the field of diplomacy and carries the title Dame Commander 
of the Most Distinguished Order of the Nation. Ambassador Lovell has 
received commendations by the State of Maryland, the City of Baltimore, 
the Maryland House of Delegates, the Lieutenant Governor of the 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the National Association of Negro 
Business and Professional Women's Club and the Consulate General of 
Antigua and Barbuda. Under Ambassador Lovell's leadership, the Embassy 
of Antigua and Barbuda had been selected as one of the top ten 
embassies in Washington D.C.
   Mr. Speaker, I know my fellow members of the House of 
Representatives agree that Ambassador Lovell deserves to be recognized 
for a job well done and for her many years of service to the people of 
Antigua and Barbuda, the United States of America and the Organization 
of American States.

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