WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement regarding the announced resignation of Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding effective this November. 

“Today we learned that Prime Minister Bruce Golding has decided to step down as leader of the Jamaican Labour Party (JLP) and as Prime Minister beginning in November.  I recognize that this must have been a difficult decision for Prime Minister Golding and I respect his decision to do what he has stated is in his personal judgment ‘what is best for the country.’

“I wish to take this opportunity to extend words of encouragement to the leadership of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), the Peoples National Party (PNP) and the people of Jamaica.  I encourage them to use this moment to strengthen their core democratic values as they move towards a fair, just and peaceful transition in government.  I encourage the leaders in both parties to keep in mind what is in the best interest of the Jamaican people as they go through the process of selecting new leadership to succeed Prime Minister Golding.  I thank Prime Minister Golding for his service to the nation and wish him well in his future endeavors.

“As a daughter of the Caribbean and a woman of Jamaican descent, I will continue to work with all the stakeholders in the Caribbean Diaspora to strengthen and bolster relations between Jamaica, the entire Caribbean region and the United States of America.”

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