Lauderhill Vice Mayor Dale Holness reads the title of a book presented to him and Lauderhill Mayor Richard Kaplan (right) and written by Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar (second left). Looking on is John Beckford, executive director of the Lauderhill Regional Chamber of Commerce. – Photo by U. Bennett

Persad-Bissessar, who was on her first trip to Florida since creating history as the first woman prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, was addressing political and business leaders at a reception on Monday in Downtown Fort Lauderdale.

The prime minister said her country is “unparalleled in the Caribbean because it strives to be competitive in the global environment.” She said Trinidad and Tobago has a strong economy and stable democracy, a skilled workforce and a vibrant financial system that presents a wealth of opportunities for investors.

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Michelle Obama

In a speech made at the Boardwalk Hotel in Panama City Beach, Obama said it is important to remember that there are many places along the Gulf Coast, like in Panama City Beach, that are still clean, safe, and are open for business. She was speaking after touring the beach and meeting with business, hotel and restaurant owners.

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Lauderhill Vice Mayor Dale Holness (center) has the ears of Civil Rights icon Ambassador Andrew Jackson (right) and State Representative Ronald Brise - Photo by U. Bennett

He pointed specifically to South Florida and the benefits that trading with neighboring countries could bring to the struggling region.

The Ambassador was speaking on Tuesday at a fundraiser to support the redevelopment of Haiti and the campaign of Lauderhill Vice Mayor, Dale Holness for the Broward County Commission District 9 seat, at the Fort Lauderdale Woman’s Club in Downtown, Fort Lauderdale.

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U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recently announced that Florida will receive $170.2 million to turn around the state’s persistently lowest achieving schools through the federal government’s School Improvement Grants (SIG) program.

The funds are part of the $3.5 billion provision that will be made available to states this year from money set aside in the 2009 budget and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

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