THE MONTHLY GLEANER | DECEMBER 12 - JANUARY 11, 2025 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 3 Lester Hinds/Gleaner Writer THE ANGLICAN Bishop of Jamaica and Archbishop of the West Indies, Howard Gregory, received a prestigious honour in New York last weekend with a formal seating at the Cathedral of St John the Divine. The ceremony, hosted by the Diocese of New York, took place at the iconic Manhattan cathedral. The act of seating, which involves assigning a bishop a chair, symbolises the teaching, governing, and sanctifying authority of a bishop within the diocese. Bishop Gregory is only the fourth individual to be granted this honour by the New York Diocese in its current term. “I was invited by the Bishop of New York for a seating, a gesture that confers honorary status in recognition of contributions to the Church,” Bishop Gregory told The Gleaner. He noted that this recognition reflects the significant role Caribbean people have played in the Anglican faith globally and at the Cathedral of St John the Divine in particular. Bishop Gregory also highlighted how the Jamaican Anglican Church’s active participation in the global Anglican community has facilitated access to critical resources for advancing its mission, particularly in education. “We oversee more than 200 schools in Jamaica, spanning early childhood and primary education. Recently, we received a donation of US$14,000, which will be used to enhance math and reading programmes,” he said. He added that the Anglican Diocese of Jamaica also benefits from international support for projects such as a solar energy initiative at the Church’s camp facility. “These partnerships exemplify the ongoing relationship between the Diocese of Jamaica and the worldwide Anglican community,” Bishop Gregory said. During his visit, Bishop Gregory conducted two services at St Luke’s Church in the Bronx, which is home to one of the largest Jamaican congregations in New York City. He returned to Jamaica on Monday. editorial@gleanerjm.com Lester Hinds/Gleaner Writer JAMAICAN-AMERICAN CONGRESSWOMAN Yvette Clarke has been elected Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). Elected unopposed, she becomes the 29th chair of the CBC and will assume the role in January for a two-year term, leading the caucus throughout the 119th Congress. Clarke previously served as First Vice Chair during the 118th Congress, focusing on issues like education, healthcare, housing, environmental justice, and public safety. She worked to address disparities in underserved communities alongside CBC members. “I want to thank my peers for electing me to serve as chair,” said Chairwoman Clarke, after her election. “In my capacity as chair, I will ensure that our caucus’ goals are accomplished by focusing on voting rights, education, criminal justice reform, women’s rights, healthcare equity, and economic equality. We must be attentive in completing our purpose of addressing and enacting policy to uplift our community and keep our promises.” She continued, “Since its formation in 1971, the CBC has constantly pursued its mission of supporting and enforcing laws that protect and enrich the Black community. The CBC will have a record 62 members in both the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives during the 119th Congress. And for the first time in history, two Black women will serve together in the Senate – elevating our position in Congress to combat blatant racism and policies intentionally overlooking more diverse and minority communities – proving our diversity is our strength, and our unity is our power.” “In our pursuit to push legislation and funding – seeking bipartisanship in issue areas that would benefit African Americans – we must become more aggressive in our attempt to support Rep. Hakeem Jeffries as Minority Leader of the House. We must stand behind his vision and trust his leadership to negotiate the best outcomes for our communities,” Clarke noted. “Make no mistake: in this volatile political landscape, the CBC must stand as the resistance to the extremist ideologies of Project 2025 as the conscience of Congress to advocate and advance the Black diaspora. The authors of Project 2025 will write America’s story for the next four years, and we must be prepared to use every legislative and communicative tool to oppose their agenda. I am committed to working with my colleagues to call out this extremist agenda and fight like hell for a pathway forward.” CBC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR THE 119TH CONGRESS • Chair: Rep. Yvette Clarke (NY-9), senior member of the Energy and Commerce and Homeland Security Committees. • First Vice Chair: Rep. Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-2), Ranking Member of the Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee. • Second Vice Chair: Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-7), member of the Judiciary and Education and Workforce Committees. • Secretary: Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), member of the Transportation and Infrastructure and Armed Services Committees. • Whip: Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), serving on the Foreign Affairs and Natural Resources Committees. Outgoing Chair Steven Horsford congratulated Clarke and the new executive members. Reflecting on his tenure, he highlighted the CBC’s achievements and its growth to its largest membership yet. “53 years after our Caucus’ founding, our work to improve the lives and conditions of Black people in America is more important than ever before,” he said. “It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus during such a pivotal time in our country. Together, we have faithfully served as the conscience of our Congress, centering issues of justice and equity for all Americans. I remain deeply honored to serve as a Member of the House of Representatives and especially a member of this storied caucus.” Horsford continued, “As we look toward the future, our caucus will enter the 119th Congress with the largest membership in our history – a record 62 members in the House and Senate. To lead this historic membership will be a colleague and friend of immense capabilities and the right leader to take on the challenges that will confront the American people in the years to come. “I could not be prouder to pass the baton to the gentlelady from New York, Representative Yvette Clarke. Representative Clarke will carry on the legacy of the CBC and ensure we push back against the erosion of our fundamental rights and build a future where everyone can thrive and achieve their full potential.” editorial@gleanerjm.com Jamaican-American Congresswoman Yvette Clarke elected chair of Congressional Black Caucus Jamaican-American Congresswoman Yvette Clarke Anglican Bishop of Jamaica, Howard Gregory, honoured in New York Anglican Bishop of Jamaica and Archbishop of the West Indies, Howard Gregory FILE
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