2005 Speeches

INL Contribution to St. James Police Youth Club

June 16, 2005

Dr. Roy L. Austin
United States Ambassador
St. James Police Youth Club

Good afternoon! It brings me great pleasure to be here today to reaffirm the United States Embassy’s goal of supporting organizations that provide young people with productive activities in education, sports, culture, spirituality and community service as an alternative to drug involvement and other illegal behaviors. We appreciate our close relationship with the St. James Police Youth club and have supported the club’s honorable work for many years.

It is self-evident that we can prevent the development of criminal tendencies or reverse such tendencies by providing healthy environments for young people. In accord with this belief, the U.S. Embassy has this year provided assistance to two other youth-oriented organizations. On May 17, I presented a check for 15,000 U.S. dollars to SERVOL; and on May 27, the Embassy presented a donation of $3,000 U.S. dollars to “FEEL” - The Foundation for the Enhancement and Enrichment of Life. Today, it is your club’s turn.

Our relationship with the St. James Police Youth Club started in 1999 with the first INL assistant Dianne White. At that time, we assisted the club in upgrading its building and also provided equipment including air conditioning units, computers and printers. Over the years we have continued our assistance whenever possible.

Today, it is with great pleasure that I, on behalf of the United States of America, and our International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Program, present the following items to the St. James Police Youth Club:

3 complete computer systems
1 HP2500 Color LaserJet Printer
1 year ADSL Internet Access
8 A+ training texts and tool kits
15 Basketball Uniforms
30 Football Uniforms
20 Basketballs & footballs

I believe that this contribution represents a sound investment, both in the Youth Club program and in the future of Trinidad & Tobago. I applaud the Club for its hard work and its dedication to making a difference in the lives of Trinidad and Tobago’s children; and I look forward to our continued relationship. I wish you the best of luck in all of your endeavors.