Title
Recognizing the Honorable Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, Prime Minister of the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis.
Body
WHEREAS, The Honorable Dr. Denzil L. Douglas was born into modest circumstances in the St. Kitts village of St. Paul's in 1953, where he lost his mother very early in life and was the son of a tailor and part-time sugar cane checker. Yet, Dr. Douglas was raised in a loving family with ample books and a great respect for learning; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Douglas was a gifted student that excelled in elementary and secondary school and attended, through a scholarship, the University of the West Indies, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in 1977. He also graduated from the University's medical school and, following an internship at the Port of Spain General Hospital in Trinidad, he opened a private family medical practice in Basseterre and in St. Paul's, St. Kitts and, in a decade, became the President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Medical Association; and
WHEREAS, As a young professional, Dr. Douglas understood the power of politics to bring about change for the people of St. Kitts & Nevis and, despite his success, he never forgot his upbringing and that ordinary working people are the backbone and strength of the twin-island Federation; and
WHEREAS, In 1979, he became the first Young Labour representative to sit as a full member of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party and he was elected Deputy Party Chairman in 1987. In 1989, he was elected Member of Parliament for St. Christopher #6, appointed Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, and chosen as the National Political Leader of the Labour Party; and
WHEREAS, Between 1989 and 1995, Dr. Douglas re-organized and re-energized the Labour Party into a formidable democratic movement, which he led to power with his 1995 appointment as Prime Minister. With the confidence and support of the voters in the 2000 and 2004 elections, Dr. Douglas has continued to serve as Prime Minister for the constituents of the twin-island Federation and holds the Ministerial portfolios of National Security, Foreign Affairs, Sustainable Development, Tourism, and Sports and Culture; and
WHEREAS, As one of the Caribbean region's senior statesmen, Dr. Douglas has served as Chairman of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (“CARICOM”) and the Authority of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and has for some time been CARICOM's spokesman on HIV/AIDS, various health matters, and Human Resource Development. He also plays an active leadership role in many regional and international organizations including the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, Caribbean Development Bank, Association of Caribbean States, Organization of American States, International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank; and
WHEREAS, For his outstanding leadership and his tireless efforts to improve the quality of life for all Caribbean peoples, Dr. Douglas has received many honors and accolades including the Ghandi-King-Ikeda Peace Prize, Order of the Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon from the Republic of China on Taiwan, and the Order of the Liberator (First Class) from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. He also received the 2007 Global Award at the 15th Annual Trumpet Awards, Legacy Award from the American Foundation of the University of West Indies, and has been recognized by former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush as well as the Congressional Black Caucus and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize the Honorable Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, Prime Minister of the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Prime Minister Douglas as an expression of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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