[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 12238-12239]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 WISHING SUCCESS TO THE JAMAICAN PRIME MINISTER, PORTIA SIMPSON-MILLER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 20, 2006

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today enter into the Record, the 
inaugural address of the Most Honorable Portia Lucretia Simpson-Miller, 
the newly elected Prime Minister of Jamaica.
  In her inauguration speech Ms. Simpson-Miller pledged to advance the 
human rights and individual liberties of the people of Jamaica. 
Acknowledging that the duty of the state is to protect the society as a 
whole, she condemned sacrificing individual liberties in execution of 
that duty. She promised to stamp out corruption and criminality by 
working closely with the Minister of National Security as well as the 
law enforcement community to reduce the high rate of crime in Jamaica 
and provide greater security for the people.
  Pointing out that economic transformation cannot take place without 
an overhaul of the educational system of Jamaica, Ms. Simpson-Miller 
pledged to provide access to quality education for youth and children. 
In light of the high unemployment rate in Jamaica--11.5 percent (2005 
estimates)--she promised to create jobs and wealth-earning 
opportunities for the Jamaican people. She vowed to focus her efforts 
on developing the communities, strengthening democratic governance, and 
uplifting the poor.
  Ms. Simpson-Miller is a champion of the downtrodden and the 
dispossessed. She is seen as a symbol of the hopes and aspirations of 
the poor, underprivileged black people, particularly black women of 
Jamaica. She has really risen through the ranks of the party, coming 
from a very, very poor section of Jamaica to the highest elected 
position in the government. She has asserted her commitment to 
improving the living standards in the destitute communities in Jamaica.
  As the first woman Prime Minister of Jamaica and a leader of the 
people, Ms. Simpson-Miller represents the hopes and wishes of many. Mr. 
Speaker, please join me in congratulating Ms. Simpson-Miller and 
praying for her success in achieving her goals for her nation.

Inaugural Address by the Hon. Portia Lucretia Simpson-Miller, MP, Prime 
                          Minister of Jamaica

       I want to begin by recognizing the source of my strength, 
     Almighty God. Let us stand and pray. Almighty God, in the 
     presence of all here attending; in the presence of the people 
     of this land and everyone else sharing this occasion, I do 
     pay homage to you, in acknowledgement that you are the 
     Sovereign and Supreme Lord God in this island and all the 
     world. As I assume the Office of Prime Minister of all 
     Jamaica, I do so Lord, truly conscious that the glory is 
     yours, and the office, an affirmation of my devotion to you 
     and to all the people of this nation. You laid the 
     foundations of the earth. Lord, lay now, I beseech you, the 
     foundations of the Government, that you have graciously 
     enabled me to lead, so that its purpose be firm, its 
     endeavors right, and its accomplishments blessed. Let it be 
     joy to those through whom you dispense it; bless those who 
     will receive it; and glory to you who give it.
       Good Lord, let Jamaica find in me, my colleagues, and all 
     who offer governance under our leadership, complete 
     fulfillment of the righteous Government that you have offered 
     to this nation; let it manifest in removal of blight and 
     poverty; the stigma and loss due to crime and violence; let 
     the radiance of it raise a larger assertion of moral strength 
     and rectitude in our public and private sectors. Unite our 
     people with a stronger sense of compassion and love. Use us 
     as the vessel for your purpose, and the people as instruments 
     of your peace, and prosper us that we may know the joy of 
     your presence and experience the pleasure at your right hand. 
     These we ask of you in faith, believing, giving thanks, even 
     so, in the name of your Holy Son, Jesus Christ--our Lord, and 
     in the name of your Holy Spirit: one God.
       Amen.
       Today is a truly historic day in the life of this nation. A 
     girl from Wood Hall in deep rural St. Catherine has become 
     Prime Minister of Jamaica, a true manifestation of the 
     Jamaican Dream. This indicates that any child, regardless of 
     circumstances, can rise to the top.
       It has been said ``Hope springs eternal in the human 
     breast''.
       Ladies and gentlemen, if there were a way to quantify the 
     intangible, it would be proven without a shadow of a doubt 
     today that it is the spirit of hope which is most dominant 
     here at King's House; in homes throughout the length and 
     breadth of Jamaica; at the Haile Selassie School and Sam 
     Sharpe Square where people are gathered and, indeed, in many 
     parts of the world where Jamaicans are joining us via the 
     Internet.

[[Page 12239]]

       I come to the Office of Prime Minister with a profound 
     sense of my obligation to the people. Only with the help of 
     Almighty God can I carry this weight of trust and hope that 
     is placed on my shoulders. I will not betray this trust and I 
     will keep hope alive.
       All across Jamaica there is this hope, this positive 
     expectancy, this hunger to believe that a new day is dawning. 
     You can almost touch it. It is not an expectation that anyone 
     individual can fulfill, but together we can make it.
       My role as Prime Minister of Jamaica will be to use this 
     high office to facilitate change. Today, I want to commit 
     myself to certain goals.
       The first pledge to the Jamaican people is to advance human 
     rights and individual liberty. Each individual life is 
     sacred. None is more important than the other. Money should 
     not make one person more important than the other. Learning 
     should not make one person more important than the other, nor 
     should class, colour or gender. We are all equal in the sight 
     of God.
       While the state has a responsibility to protect the society 
     as a whole, it must never, in the execution of that 
     responsibility, sacrifice individual liberty. We cannot build 
     the harmony and peace that this society so desperately needs 
     unless all Jamaicans know that they will be treated with 
     dignity and respect.
       We need to recapture our roots: the courtesy, the decency, 
     the good manners and trust which were routinely practised. We 
     need to rekindle those tested and proven values. We must 
     practice them ourselves and demand them from others. I want 
     to continue to lead a process for the recovery and promotion 
     of our best values.
       I want to pledge to the Jamaican people to work tirelessly 
     to eradicate corruption and extortion. I am committed to 
     their eradication as I am committed to uplifting the poor.
       I pledge to do everything in my power--with the help of the 
     Almighty and your support to break the power of the 
     criminals. I will be working closely with the Minister of 
     National Security, the Law Enforcement Officers, the 
     Opposition and our 780 identified communities to successfully 
     tackle this problem, in the interest of all Jamaicans, 
     including those in the Diaspora who want to see a peaceful 
     Jamaica.
       Closely aligned to eliminating criminality and restoring 
     power to communities, is the creation of employment and 
     wealth-earning opportunities for people. Jamaicans do 
     extremely well when given the opportunity. I believe that if 
     we create the right conditions for people to flourish; if as 
     government we see ourselves as facilitators, then we will 
     experience the unleashing of the Jamaican creative spirit 
     that can move this country forward.
       I pledge to the Jamaican people to foster and facilitate 
     the conditions for employment opportunities and wealth 
     creation.
       I want to say directly to the private sector both here and 
     overseas that we treasure the gains which have been made 
     through our macro-economic policy and international 
     credibility. It is our intention to build on these hard-won 
     gains of pain and sacrifice.
       At the same time, we have to find the way while balancing 
     the books to balance people's lives. Indeed, both the World 
     Bank and the IMF have recognized the need for policies which 
     promote equity and poverty alleviation.
       We must find a way to expand opportunities for all 
     Jamaicans so that they can share the fruits of macro-economic 
     stability. When we think of the achievements of our sports 
     men and women, of our musicians and others in the cultural 
     field, they tell us that together we can make it.
       Let me recognize the presence today of our athletes, who 
     represented Jamaica at the recent Commonwealth Games in 
     Melbourne, Australia. They earned a record 22 medals, 
     including 10 gold.
       Thank you for adding golden value to brand Jamaica. We are 
     proud of you. You are an example to all of us. We can use 
     your determination, strength, courage, discipline, 
     perseverance, loyalty to country and pride in being Jamaican 
     as motivation to work together for the advancement of our 
     country.
       As I said before, together we can make it.
       I have an abiding faith and confidence in the Jamaican 
     people. They believe in me and I passionately believe in 
     them.
       Critical to this matter of entrepreneurship, employment 
     expansion and wealth-creation, is education. We will only 
     become a first-class, competitive society if we are an 
     educated, knowledge-based society. We have to build on the 
     progress already made and intensify our drive to transform 
     Jamaica's education system.
       Our ability to attract quality foreign direct investments 
     is directly dependent on the quality of our human capital. 
     There can be no economic transformation without educational 
     transformation. I pledge to the people an unyielding 
     commitment to education, including programmes in character 
     education to build a society committed to the highest ethical 
     principles.
       In this regard, we as political leaders have to set the 
     example. I have had the finest teacher possible in this 
     matter of consensus-building and respect for differences of 
     opinion. I refer to none other than our esteemed former Prime 
     Minister, the Most Hon. P. J. Patterson, to whom I owe a 
     great debt of gratitude.
       I must thank him for his fourteen years of service as Prime 
     Minister of Jamaica. His loyalty and commitment to country, 
     his passion for service, his civility and ability to achieve 
     consensus make him unforgettable. As a team builder, he has 
     shown us that together we can make it.
       I want to build on his legacy of cooperation. I consider it 
     my duty not only to protect, but to build on the legacies of 
     all my predecessors in the continuing process of nation 
     building. I recognize today the presence of the Most Hon. 
     Edward Seaga, former Prime Minister of Jamaica, and thank him 
     for his contribution to the development of our country.
       I pledge to ensure that the interests of all our people are 
     protected and that victimization never rears its ugly head in 
     any way under my administration. Unity is a prerequisite for 
     success in Jamaica and is very high on my list of priorities.
       I say to the Opposition, let us launch a new era of 
     cooperation. Let us work together in the interest of all 
     Jamaicans. Let us put the people's hopes and aspirations 
     before our own interests.
       A more united, engaged, and spiritually strong nation will 
     provide a good foundation for dynamic integration in the 
     Caribbean Community. Jamaica's commitment to and active 
     involvement in Caricom, has been steadfast and this will 
     continue and, indeed, be expanded during my tenure. In that 
     regard, I am happy and encouraged by the presence of so many 
     of my CARICOM colleagues today. I am also pleased to note the 
     presence of a large delegation from the United States 
     Congress. Our active involvement in the international 
     community will continue, because Jamaica is respected for its 
     enviable tradition of leadership among developing countries. 
     We will maintain respectful and harmonious relations with all 
     states and will work with both the developed and developing 
     nations to build a world of peace, justice and a better 
     quality of life. We will continue to remind the international 
     community that security considerations cannot be divorced 
     from development, and that poverty is the greatest threat to 
     security.
       Ladies and gentlemen, there is nothing that can withstand 
     the force of an energized, confident, united, determined and 
     visionary people. The Bible says without vision the people 
     perish. If we embrace one vision--not a PNP or JLP vision, 
     not an uptown or a downtown vision, not an urban or rural 
     vision but one Jamaican vision; then we will deal with our 
     challenges as a nation. Together we can make it.
       I pledge to the Jamaican people to lead that process. I 
     cannot do it alone. Together we can make it. I want to build 
     a partnership with the Jamaican people. A partnership which 
     will involve the recognition that we all have a 
     responsibility to lift up the poor and the downtrodden; A 
     partnership which will see us giving greater respect to the 
     rights and dignity of the persons with disabilities; A 
     partnership to restore the centrality of family life in 
     Jamaica; A partnership for responsible fatherhood, motherhood 
     and responsible sexual behaviour; A partnership for love, 
     honour and protection of our women; A partnership for love, 
     honour and respect for our men; A partnership for the 
     protection and nurturing of our children, who represent the 
     future and which recognizes that children are the 
     torchbearers of all the good that we must pass on to 
     posterity; A partnership to provide access to quality 
     education for all our children; A partnership for the 
     empowerment of youths through education, training and 
     economic opportunities; A partnership for the development of 
     our communities, for strengthening democratic governance and 
     for truly giving a voice to all the people. A partnership to 
     eradicate crime and drive the criminals from our communities; 
     A partnership to deepen the involvement of Jamaicans in the 
     Diaspora; A partnership in the building of a harmonious, 
     prosperous and vibrant Jamaica, committed to making the 
     Jamaican Dream accessible to every single Jamaican; Together 
     we can make it. A partnership where we recognize that God is 
     supreme. I call upon all Jamaicans to join those who will 
     worship on Friday, Saturday or Sunday to pray for the 
     prosperity of our country and peace in the nation. In these 
     partnerships, I pledge to be accountable to you, the people 
     of Jamaica. I am and will remain your servant. Together we 
     will make it.
       Today is not only my day. It is Jamaica's day. Indeed, it 
     is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad 
     in it, for we are His People.
       Eternal Father, bless our land, Guard us with thy Mighty 
     Hand.

                          ____________________