• Category

  • Content Type

Advertisement

Two New Senators Sworn In

By: , October 23, 2017

The Key Point:

Newly appointed Opposition Senators, Donna Scott-Mottley and Damion Crawford, were sworn in today (October 20), during the Senate’s sitting at Gordon House.
Two New Senators Sworn In
Photo: Mark Bell
Newly appointed Opposition Senator, Attorney-at-Law, Donna Scott-Mottley (left), takes the Oath of Allegiance during the swearing-in ceremony at today’s (October 20) sitting of the Senate at Gordon House. Administering the proceedings is Clerk to the Houses of Parliament, Heather Cooke. Mrs. Donna Scott-Mottley has also been appointed Leader of Opposition Business in the Upper House.

The Facts

  • Both, who took the Oath of Allegiance during a brief swearing-in ceremony, fill the vacancies that were created following the resignation of former Opposition Senators, Councillor Dr. Angela Brown Burke and Mark Golding.
  • Acting Leader of Government Business in the Senate, and Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Senator the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., welcomed Mrs. Scott-Mottley and Mr. Crawford to the Upper House.

The Full Story

Newly appointed Opposition Senators, Donna Scott-Mottley and Damion Crawford, were sworn in today (October 20), during the Senate’s sitting at Gordon House.

Both, who took the Oath of Allegiance during a brief swearing-in ceremony, fill the vacancies that were created following the resignation of former Opposition Senators, Councillor Dr. Angela Brown Burke and Mark Golding.

Dr. Brown Burke and Mr. Golding are candidates in the upcoming by-elections for South West St. Andrew and South St. Andrew respectively, which will be held on October 30.

Acting Leader of Government Business in the Senate, and Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Senator the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., welcomed Mrs. Scott-Mottley and Mr. Crawford to the Upper House.

He expressed confidence that both will contribute to the rigorous debates that are a feature of the Senate’s sittings.

“(I hope) they will certainly fall in line with the high standards that we try to keep as a review chamber. We look forward to the kind of cooperation and coordination that we all seek, and we certainly wish you both all the best throughout your term,” he said.

For his part, Senate President, Hon. Tom Tavares-Finson, expressed confidence that the new appointees will contribute to the high standards of the sittings.

“We trust that your stay here will be (as) long as you desire, and we trust that you will enjoy your stay with us and participate. The persons who have left us, Senator Brown Burke and Senator

Golding, have left their mark here, and we know that you will also,” he said.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Opposition Senator, K.D. Knight, in his welcome.

In her response, Mrs. Scott Mottley, who has also been appointed as Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate, said she and Senator Crawford are committed to the people of Jamaica, and pledged to uphold the dignity of the Senate.

“Mr. President, I did not swear that Oath lightly, it means a lot to me. I pledge cordiality, even where we might have disagreements, and I am honoured to have been so warmly welcomed by the Senators on both sides. It is indeed something that my colleague (and I) take very seriously,” she said.

Mrs. Scott Mottley, who is an attorney-at -law, served as Government Senator in the early 1990s and again in 2005, while Mr. Crawford, who is a lecturer and businessman, served as Member of Parliament for East Rural St Andrew from 2011 to 2016.

Last Updated: October 23, 2017

Skip to content