2017 -- H 6047

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LC002352

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING AND THANKING THE MOST HONORABLE PORTIA SIMPSON MILLER

FOR HER SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF JAMAICA

     Introduced By: Representatives Ranglin-Vassell, Shekarchi, Morgan, Regunberg, and
Donovan

     Date Introduced: March 30, 2017

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Portia Lucretia Simpson was born on December 12, 1945, in Wood Hall, St.

Catherine Parish, Jamaica. She attained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration, and

holds Certificates in Public Relations and Advanced Management from the Union Institute and

University of Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition, she completed the Executive Programme for Leaders

in Development at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University; and

     WHEREAS, In 1974, Portia Simpson became involved in politics when she was elected

to the City Council of the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation, as a member of the liberal

People's National Party (PNP). In 1976, she was elected, and subsequently reelected in 1980, to

the Parliament of Jamaica, to represent the constituency of South West St. Andrew Parish. After

abstaining from the 1983 general elections, she was reelected to her seat in 1989; and

     WHEREAS, Over the course of the following years, Portia Simpson held myriad titles

and responsibilities, including rising through the ranks of the PNP party, serving as Vice

President and heading its Women's Movement. She was also steadily gaining the knowledge and

experience that ultimately led to her becoming Jamaica's seventh and first female Prime Minister;

and

     WHEREAS, The Most Honourable Portia Lucretia Simpson Miller O.N., M.P. became

Jamaica's Prime Minister in March of 2006, and was conferred with the Order of the Nation on

May 29, 2006, giving her and her husband, Errald Miller, the title of "The Most Honourable";

and

     WHEREAS, After losing the election in September of 2007, The Most Honourable

Simpson Miller was reinstalled as Prime Minister in January of 2012, emphasizing regional

integration and cooperation, and holding the office until March of 2016; and

     WHEREAS, Myriad honors and recognitions have been bestowed upon The Most

Honourable Simpson Miller during the course of her illustrious service to the people of Jamaica.

In addition to receiving the Jamaican Order of the Nation, she was appointed by the UN Secretary

General to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Institute for

Training and Research (UNITAR), is chair of the CARICOM Committee on External Trade, was

awarded the International Olympic Committee's World Women and Sport Trophy for outstanding

dedication to women in Jamaican Sports, received the Distinguished Award for her dedication

and commitment to urban renewal and community development from the Mayor of the City of

Miami, and received the Bureau of Women's Affairs Award for outstanding contribution to the

advancement of women’s affairs in Jamaica; and

     WHEREAS, For her munificent accomplishments, The Most Honourable Portia Simpson

Miller is truly an inspiration to all who seek to serve the public, and she is eminently worthy of

our praise and our acknowledgement for a job well done; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby honors The Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller for her years

of service to the people of Jamaica. We moreover wish her the very best health, success, and

happiness in all her future endeavors; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to The Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller.

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