Sandra Clemmings: Faithfully recording Jamaica’s legislative history for 29 years

The ease with which Sandra Clemmings carries out her duties as a Hansard writer in Parliament belies not only the dexterous nature of her job, but the critical importance of her role and that of her colleagues. They have the arduous task of capturing words, sometimes delivered at stunning paces, by the use of a machine and then transcribing them quickly for use as the official records of Parliament.

Extensive debates and sometimes painstaking deliberations spanning hours during the sittings of the Upper and Lower Houses, as well as a raft of meetings held by select and special select committees of Parliament, are covered and recorded by Hansard writers who ensure that the official records of the legislature are available to lawmakers and by extension every single Jamaican who wishes to access them.

The deft stenographic skills acquired by Clemmings did not come overnight but years of honing them have made her a master at her craft.

After contributing 29 years of service to the Houses of Parliament, Clemmings, who is now a senior Hansard writer, will today receive the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service during the National Honours and Awards investiture ceremony at the National Indoors Sports Centre in St Andrew.

Having completed secretarial studies at Durham College in Kingston in the 1980s, Clemmings landed her first job at the Ministry of Finance.

She later pursued specialised training to become a court reporter or stenographer.

With work stints at the Ministry of Labour and Industrial Disputes Tribunal, Clemmings was told by a colleague that Parliament needed people with court-reporting skills as they were short-staffed at the time.

After carrying out a few sessions where she covered committee meetings at Gordon House, Clemmings’ voracious appetite for knowledge was further stimulated after being exposed to the process of debating and promulgating legislation that impact various aspects of Jamaican life.

“The more I am here the more I fall in love with the proceedings because I found that it is a wealth of knowledge about legislation, about how bills are passed and how it enters the House,” she said.

She conceded that sometimes the task was onerous as the Parliament was operating, at times, well below its required complement of Hansard writers.

Those who made their mark

Reflecting on parliamentary personalities in the past, that, in her opinion, made their mark in Gordon House, Clemmings singled out Anthony Johnson, the late father of current Leader of Government Business in the Senate Kamina Johnson Smith, Bruce Golding and A J Nicholson.

Describing Johnson as a meticulous debater, Clemmings said the lawmaker left nothing to chance as he carried out his research and made thought-provoking and invaluable contributions to parliamentary deliberations.

“I could gain so much from that man. I loved to listen to him,” she said.

She said Golding was a stickler for the rules of Parliament and insisted that a member who rises to speak should be heard in silence.

“So, when he rises and there is discussion taking place (between other lawmakers) he will not speak until there is complete silence,” said Clemmings.

The senior Hansard writer remembers Nicholson as a principled, shrewd and articulate legislator who had a good sense of humour.

Noting that she had received offers to work in the courts and to take up job offers overseas, Clemmings said she turned them down because she loves her job and country.

“I am filed for and refuse it on several occasions because I have said If I am going to survive I am staying here where I can make a contribution to my country,” she said.

As the union representative for the staff at Parliament, Clemmings said she has gone the extra mile to make representation on behalf of her colleagues.

Hansard writers record the deliberations of committees and the sittings of both the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament. Clemmings said she can recall days in the past when sittings of Parliament ended at 1 a.m. .

“Our job never ends and it is very tedious and we are understaffed and underpaid. It is the love of the job that causes us to continue carrying out our tasks,” she quipped.

The Hansard writer has to reflect the exact expressions that are made during presentations by parliamentarians. “We cannot change it because most times it’s what was said that will cause a controversy. We cannot fix it. So that is why you always hear the members say we want the Hansard because they know that we will not change anything,” she explained.

“When a prime minister makes his maiden speech to his last speech, anybody can go back and read it, it’s just for them to request the book and it will be provided.”

Clemmings thanked her colleagues for their support, noting that she could not have received this award without their input.

The hardworking Hansard writer said she will be dedicating the award to all the staff of Gordon House who continue to do yeoman service for the country.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com