<Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Professor Gordon Shirley, at right, extends congratulations to Congresswoman Yvette Diane Clarke, at center, at a reception hosted by the Caribbean community on Thursday, January 4, 2007, at the Sky Club Zanzibar on the Waterfront, in Washington, D.C. Sharing in the occasion are her parents, at second from left, Mrs. Una Clarke, former New York councilwoman and Mr. Leslie Clarke, at far right is Ambassador Curtis Ward, who was the Master of Ceremonie.

(Photo by Derrick Scott)

Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Professor Gordon Shirley congratulated newly installed Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, who was sworn in on Thursday, January 4, 2007, as the United States Representative for the 11th Congressional District of Brooklyn, New York.

Speaking at a reception hosted by the Caribbean community at Zanzibar At The Waterfront in Washington, DC, Ambassador Shirley said “on behalf of Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller, the Government and the people of Jamaica, I extend congratulations to you Congresswoman Yvette Clark, on this historical occasion. Today as you were sworn in as the United States Representative for the 11th Congressional District of Brooklyn, New York, you secured your place in the history of the people of Jamaica and the Caribbean."

Ambassador Shirley said that Congresswoman Clarke will represent in the United States Congress not only the thousands of Caribbean people residing in her District but Caribbean people all over the United States and in the Caribbean. “You Congresswoman Clarke walk in the footsteps of another Caribbean great the late Honorable Shirley Chisholm. We have great expectations for your service in the U.S. Congress and we look forward with your support to continue to build on the excellent relationships between the countries of the Caribbean and the United States of America”.

In her response Congresswoman Clarke said she was honored as a second generation of Jamaican parents to be installed as a Congresswoman, “my roots go ways back as my parents are Jamaicans and there is no doubt that my contributions in Congress will way heavily on the Caribbean”.
Ms. Clarke pointed out that as a Caribbean immigrant, “I have made great strides in the U.S., especially on the social level”. The emphasis now, she said, will be on further economic, political empowerment, immigration and education. Congresswoman Clarke said she will be a strong voice on Capitol Hill for representation on immigrants from the Caribbean as she believes that this is a matter that must be addressed.

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, is the daughter of Jamaican parents, Mrs. Una Clarke, former New York councilwoman and Mr. Leslie Clarke.

Derrick A. Scott
JIS Washington

Back to News