More Speeches

My fellow Jamaicans and Friends of Jamaica, We begin each year with the joys, burden, sorrow, or triumph of the past year still etched in our minds. That past and the way it influences us will determine how we live in the ensuing year. The questions before each of us are, how well have we learned the lessons of the...

Jamaicans All: Celebrating the advent of a New Year always reminds me of the wonder of a glorious Jamaican sunrise. As the golden sun peeks over the majestic Blue Mountains, it seems to gently push away the night-sky. Rays of hope and promise nudge through a soft and reflective crimson sky.  The dazzling light and vibrant energy of that sunshine...

My fellow Jamaicans: The year 2012 has come to a close. It is timely therefore that we reflect on its passing. Undoubtedly we will do so with mixed emotions.  At times our spirits fell to abysmal lows such as at the gruesome murders and physical abuse of our women. We experienced dissappointing economic decline, deterioration in our net international reserves...

On assuming office, one of the most urgent priorities of this Administration was to reopen the line of communication with the IMF and negotiate a new agreement that would satisfy the interest of Jamaica's economic recovery as well as the board of the IMF. At the outset, my stated objective was to bring these negotiations to a satisfactory conclusion by...

My fellow Jamaicans, On the first Christmas morning, the angels sang: "Peace on earth and goodwill towards humankind." I greet you warmly and ask that we seek to recapture and renew that sense of  peace and goodwill to all those with whom we interact today and throughout this holiday season. There is something truly special about the Christmas Season. No...

There is no other time of year that encapsulates the feeling of joy, love and goodwill like the Christmas Season. In Jamaica like the rest of the Christian world we look forward each year to the spirit of generosity, the gathering of family and the usual festivities to mark the closing of the year. At the heart of Christmas however...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, says a collaborative approach must be taken to design and shape a framework for Unemployment Insurance that is best suited to Jamaican conditions. Mrs. Simpson Miller was addressing the opening session of a two-day Labour Market Forum on: ‘Reforming Jamaica’s Labour Market: Social Protection through Unemployment Insurance’, at the Jamaica Conference Centre,...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, says that Jamaica has made strides over the years in meeting the needs of disabled persons. The Prime Minister, who was addressing the Inaugural Disability Friendly Awards and Gala Dinner at the Wyndham Kingston hotel on Monday, cited progress in improving accessibility to public buildings, increasing access to education and training, and...

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon Phillip Paulwell has demanded that the complete Board of Directors of Petrojam Limited meet, investigate and issue a full report into last week's alleged release of noxious fumes from the refinery. On Wednesday November 14, reports of an offensive chemical-type odour from persons in communities upwind of Petrojam prompted an investigation by...

Jamaica joins the rest of the international community to observe World Diabetes Day this year, under the theme “Diabetes: Protect Our Future”. This is an important message and comes at a time in which our health, productivity and development are threatened by the epidemic of non-communicable diseases including diabetes. NCDs kill 36 million persons each year of which 4% of...

Mr. Speaker: The Most Honourable P.J. Patterson once reminded me of a story of a very young girl, who many years ago, was distributing flyers for the Vice Presidential contest at a PNP Annual Conference being held at  the National Arena. P.J. Patterson was among the vice presidential candidates.  He arrived at the National Arena and she enthusiastically handed him...

Salutations: Master of Ceremonies The Most Hon. P.J. Patterson, former Prime Minister of Jamaica; Hon. Anthony Hylton, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Congresswoman Yvette Clarke Karl and Faye Rodney of the New York Carib News The legendary Harry Belanfonte Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, and participants in this momentous conference It is timely to express my sincere and heartfelt support...