My fellow Jamaicans... Today, we honour the heroes of our land. We celebrate, in particular, the lives and accomplishments of the six men and one woman we have declared as our National Heroes. Theirs was a vision that saw in us and for us, what we may not have been able to see ourselves. Theirs was the courage that challenged...

The Supplementary Estimates The expenditure adjustments contained in the Supplementary Estimates and the new revenue measures announced by the Minister of Finance have become necessary because of three factors: (1) the continuing adverse impact of the global recession;(2) additional provisions required to meet public sector wage adjustments particularly for teachers and nurses;(3) increased interest payments on the public debt.Faced with...

Mr President,I join others in congratulating you on your assumption of the Presidency of the 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. We are confident that your extensive diplomatic experience will guide your leadership of this Session. You can be assured of the support and cooperation of Jamaica during your tenure. I extend Jamaica's appreciation to His Excellency Father...

I am glad for this opportunity to address a number of critical issues that I know weigh heavily on your minds as they do on mine. There is none of us in this room who does not appreciate the severity of the problems facing the economy and the impact it is having on the life of virtually everyone. These difficulties...

"...Consistent with the recommendation of the Committee of the Whole on Crisis Responses, I urge the world's leaders to consider the establishment of a Global Development Initiative incorporating programmes that already exist but introducing new programmes and additional resources..." click to read entire speech

Fellow Jamaicans, Labour Day activities this year are being held against the background of the global economic crisis that has engulfed us. We must not allow the spirit of Labour Day to be dampened by the crisis. On the contrary, it is because the global crisis has imposed such severe constraints on us nationally and individually that the spirit of...

This year's Workers' Week has found us in the throes of a global financial crisis and confronted by even greater challenges than those that existed in previous years; therefore, giving even greater significance to this year's Workers' Week. These challenges that prevail, highlight the need for a deeper sense of unity and love amongst our people; and place on us,...

The Caribbean has accumulated over the years a strong, impressive tradition in the conduct of its foreign affairs. We are small, all of us. We are small individually; we are small collectively, relative to the rest of the world. Notwithstanding our size, we command significant attention and we command respect in the important output of the world. We have led...

This year's commemoration of Teachers' Day, takes on even greater significance, as the teaching fraternity and the wider education sector are confronted by graver challenges than those experienced in previous years. Despite these obstacles, our teachers have remained resilient and committed to their task of educating our nation's youths; and for this, they deserve our highest commendations. The escalating levels...

The challenging global context This debate is taking place in the context of the worst global economic downturn since the Great Depression 80 years ago. It is frequently referred to as a "crisis" and that is exactly what it is. Economies that had come to regard robust economic growth as a natural way of life have suddenly found themselves slipping...

As the 2009/10 Budget Debate draws to a close this week, Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding will make his contribution in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 5, beginning at 2:00 p.m. His presentation will bring to three, the number of contributions which have been made by members of the Government, which also included those from Finance and...