KINGSTON, Jamaica — U.S. Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, Democratic Representative for New York’s 9th Congressional District, was among the more 200 persons who were conferred with national honours and awards during a ceremony at King’s House on Monday, October 15, 2018.
Congresswoman Clarke was awarded The Order Of Distinction in the rank of Commander, for “distinguished contribution in Safeguarding the Interests of Jamaican Nationals in the USA Diaspora on Immigration Matters.”
According to her congressional website, Congresswoman Clarke, a Brooklyn native proud of her Jamaican heritage, attended the New York City public schools, graduated from Oberlin College, and was a recipient of the prestigious APPAM/Sloan Fellowship in Public Policy and Policy Analysis.
“Prior to being elected to the House of Representatives, Congresswoman Clarke served on the New York City Council, representing the Fortieth District in Brooklyn. She succeeded her pioneering mother, former City Council Member Dr. Una S. T. Clarke, making them the first mother-daughter succession in the history of the City Council,” the website notes, adding that as the representative of the “Ninth Congressional District of New York, she has dedicated herself to continuing the legacy of excellence established by the late Honorable Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman and Caribbean American elected to Congress.”
“As an activist, a community organizer and now as a legislator, Congresswoman Clarke’s boldness, compassion and love for the people has allowed her to become an effective leader and an outspoken advocate on numerous issues of great importance to her constituents,” the website states. “In the 115th Congress, Congresswoman Clarke serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee, the Committee on Small Business, and the Ethics Committee.”
The website adds: “Congresswoman Clarke has demonstrated her capacity for leadership as Chair of the Multicultural Media Caucus, dedicated to eliminating stereotypes in the media and expanding ownership to include communities of color, as Co-Chair of the Smart Cities Caucus which serves as an informal group of Members dedicated to issues related to the transformation of our communities to smart cities, how it will bring about innovation and technological change, and the role that Congress can play in this transformation.
“She is also the Co-Chair of the Black Women & Girls Caucus, which develops programs to support the aspirations of African American women of all ages, and an At-Large member of the Congressional Black Caucus Executive Committee.
“Additionally, Congresswoman Clarke serves as Co-Chair of the Caribbean Caucus, where she has works to build the relationship between the United States and the Caribbean community (CARICOM) on matters of trade, immigration reform, and direct investment through development programs.”
Congresswoman Clarke currently resides in the neighborhood where she grew up, in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn.
