PRESS RELEASES 2007

Five Jamaicans attend Conference on the Americas hosted by President Bush

Five Jamaicans are attending the White House Conference on the Americas today, July 9 hosted by President George W. Bush and Mrs. Bush in Washington D.C. They are Utealia Burrell of the Rural Family Support Organization, Yvonne Clarke of the Jamaica Red Cross, Omar Frith of the Stella Maris Foundation, Claudette Richardson-Pious of the Children First and Kim-Marie Spence of the Taking Responsibility Project. Their visit is partially funded by the US Department of State through the Office of Public Affairs, US Embassy.

The one-day conference will bring together over 250 representatives from the private sector, non-governmental organizations, faith-based groups, and volunteer groups from countries throughout the Western Hemisphere and the United States to discuss effective ways to deliver aid and build democratic institutions in the Americas. Underscoring the high-level engagement on the Western Hemisphere, Secretary of State Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and others will also actively participate in the conference.

The themes of the conference include expanding economic opportunity, investing in education, strengthening healthcare, and building public-private partnerships. Additionally, the importance of democracy and good governance in achieving these goals will be underscored throughout the conference.

The conference will also provide President Bush and other senior United States government officials with an opportunity to discuss ongoing engagement with US neighbors to help the democratic governments of the region better meet their citizens' basic needs of education, healthcare, and economic opportunity.

President George W. Bush said the United States is committed to advancing the cause of social justice in the Western Hemisphere and the conference will foster an exchange of ideas and best practices to address the region's economic and social challenges.

***Participate in webchat on July 9 at 2:15 p.m. EDT from White House Conference on the Americas – register at
http://usinfo.state.gov/usinfo/USINFO/Products/Webchats/shannon_09_jul_2007.html