[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25695]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING DIANE ABBOTT

                                 ______
                                 

                         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, Ms. Diane Abbott, Member of House of 
Commons, United Kingdom by placing in the Congressional Record the text 
of a proclamation to be awarded at the conference:

  A Proclamation Celebrating the Accomplishments of Ms. Diane Abbott, 
             Member of the House of Commons, United Kingdom

       Whereas, It is an established and honorable tradition for 
     elected officials to recognize the outstanding contributions 
     of those persons whose leadership and life's work have made a 
     substantial difference to the lives of people everywhere, 
     especially in their own countries; and
       Whereas, Such committed leaders are often pioneers, who 
     blaze a trail, becoming a role model for others to emulate, 
     especially the young and the less fortunate in society.
       Whereas, Diane Abbott, the first Black woman ever elected 
     to the British House of Commons has earned her place on the 
     scroll of outstanding women of achievement and is certainly 
     one such pioneer.
       Whereas, Diane Abbott, the daughter of Jamaican Immigrant 
     parents and an honors graduate of Britain's prestigious 
     Cambridge University, has represented a working class, multi-
     ethnic District In London since she was first elected to the 
     House of Commons in 1987.
       Whereas, Diane Abbott is being cited and honored at the 
     annual Caribbean Multi-National Business Conference 2005 in 
     St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands for service to her 
     country, the Caribbean community and the developing world 
     generally.
       Whereas, Diane Abbott, a member of the Treasury Committee 
     of the International Monetary Fund helped to raise the 
     consciousness of the International community about the damage 
     which the debt crisis was having on governments and people of 
     the Caribbean, Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America; now, 
     therefore be it
       Resolved, That we salute and commend Ms. Diane Abbott for 
     her distinguished an unblemished record of service to 
     humanity and for her leadership on the national and 
     international stages in the United Kingdom, the Caribbean as 
     elsewhere.

                          ____________________