- Norman GrindleyNewly appointed senator, Kern Spencer (left) and Aloun Ndombet Assamba (right), the new Minister of State in the Technology Ministry, look at Mr. Spencer's certificate of appointment at Kings House where they were sworn in yesterday.
KERN OMAR Spencer, 28-year-old University of the West Indies (UWI) graduate, became the youngest member of the Senate yesterday after he was sworn in by Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke at Kings House.
A flushed-face Spencer, supported by members of his family and the People's National Party (PNP), including Minister of Industry, Commerce and Technology, Phillip Paulwell and National Security Minister Peter Phillips, rose to the podium, took his oath, and then was greeted with a standing ovation from the audience.
He then returned to his seat beside the recently appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Technology, Aloun Ndombet Assamba, who was also sworn in yesterday.
Spencer could be seen staring for some time at his certificate seemingly remembering the words spoken to him earlier by Sir Howard: "We expect great things from you".
"It's an emotional experience for me," said the new Senator. "I think today is a victory for young people across Jamaica and I'll be using it (his new office) to champion the cause for young people," he added.
Senator Spencer, who has also been appointed Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, said his decision to enter the political arena came from an urgent need to give back something to the Jamaican people who paid 80 per cent of his fees while at the UWI.
"I want to give back to the persons who have contributed to my education as it relates to representation of the people," he said.
Senator Assamba was brief in her comments. "I'm overwhelmed! I'm shaking inside. You can expect that I'm going to give my full hundred (to the Jamaican people)," she said.
Mr. Spencer replaces Maxine Henry-Wilson, General Secretary of the PNP, and former Information Minister in the Government. She stepped down as Senator in October to concentrate on her duties as General Secretary ahead of the upcoming general election.
Spencer will become the youngest member of the 21-member Senate. He served as president of the UWI Guild of Undergraduates and as General Secretary of the PNP's youth arm. He has been working as executive assistant to Labour Minister, Donald Buchanan.
