Prior to the implementation of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Act 1996 enacted by the British Parliament, Hong Kong represented its interests abroad through the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices ( HKETOs ) and via a special office in the British Embassies or High Commissions, but the latter has ceased after the sovereignty of Hong Kong was transferred to the PRC and became a special administrative region ( SAR ) of the PRC in 1997.

Prior to assuming that position, he was Commander, Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, from July 1997 to July 1998.

Prior to 1997, Chatham had been included in the constituencies of Mid Kent, Rochester and Chatham & Chatham.

Prior to the 1997 merger, Young America was known as being one of the two cities where correspondences for consumer product contests went to, the other being Blair, Nebraska.

Prior to becoming president in 1997, McAleese had also held the following positions: Director of Channel 4 Television, Director, Northern Ireland Electricity, Director, Royal Group of Hospitals Trust and Founding member of the Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas.

Prior to the 1997 General Election, Hamilton determined to retain his parliamentary seat.

There were doubts over the future of the band when Prior announced her departure in 1997, but Steeleye continued in a more productive vein than for many years, with Woods as lead singer, releasing Horkstow Grange ( 1998 ), and then Bedlam Born ( 2000 ).

Prior to the acquisition of Sim developer Maxis by Electronic Arts in 1997, plans were originally made in 1996 to develop SimCity 3000 as a fully 3D game, in tune with the emergence ( at the time ) of 3D computer and video games.

Prior to September 1, 1997, no longer being known as a " sound system ", THX was removed from all theaters, with the exception for a couple of trailers that THX had then-recently created ( such as its own mascot, Tex the Robot ) in 1996, would vaguely be seen in theaters.

Prior to 1998, the official releases were handled by Vans via Uni Distribution in 1996 and Epitaph Records in 1997 respectively.

Prior to returning to Ireland in 1997, Scallon applied for US citizenship, requiring her to swear an oath renouncing allegiance to any other state.

Prior to 1997, Cleethorpes had been included in the constituencies of Brigg and Cleethorpes, Louth ( Lincolnshire ), and Grimsby.

Prior to joining the band in 1997, he was the touring drummer for Alanis Morissette on her Jagged Little Pill and Can't Not tours, as well as the drummer in the progressive experimental band called Sylvia which, after changing their name to Anyone, went on to sign with Roadrunner Records.

Prior to his election to the UK Parliament in 1997, Swinney was employed as Strategic Planning Principal with Scottish Amicable and was a business and economic development consultant for five years.

Prior to 1997 transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong, the quorum was set at 20.

Prior to the handover in 1997, the office of the Chief Executive-designate was at the 7th floor of the Asia Pacific Finance Tower.

Prior endowments were $ 538. 4 million in 2005 and $ 195. 1 million in 1997, the rapid increases partially attributed to the " Top 20 " Plan.

Prior to the return of Hong Kong to China in 1997, the power of pardon was a royal prerogative of mercy of the monarch of the United Kingdom.

Prior to becoming party leader, Martin served as Minister for Education and Science ( 1997 – 2000 ), Minister for Health and Children ( 2000 – 04 ), Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment ( 2004 – 08 ) and Minister for Foreign Affairs ( 2008 – 11 ).

Prior to 1997, the role was played by the Governor of Hong Kong

Prior to the 1997 introduction of " one-fare zone " that came along with free transfers from the SIR to the subway system and MTA buses by using the MetroCard, fares were collected by the conductors on the trains for passengers boarding at stops other than St. George.

Prior to the 1997 municipal elections, the regional chairman was elected to the position from within the regional council — in that year, the position became generally elected by all voters in the regional municipality.

Prior to becoming successful, Egan, Feehily, and Filan along with fellow Sligo men Derrick Lacey, Graham Keighron, and Michael Garrett, were part of a six-member pop vocal group called Six as One and was later changed to IOYOU in the year 1997.

Prior to being elected to federal office, Anderson was a school trustee in Frontier, Saskatchewan from 1994 to 1997, and was the chairman of the board from 1997 to 2000.

* 1947 – Maddy Prior, English singer ( Steeleye Span, Silly Sisters, and The Carnival Band )

* MySQL database system – Prior to v5. 1, MySQL included a BDB data storage backend.

Florida shut the Cubs out in Game 5, but young pitcher Mark Prior led the Cubs in Game 6 as they took a 3 – 0 lead into the 8th inning and it was at this point when a now-infamous incident took place.

Prior to the outbreak of the 1998 – 2000 Eritrean – Ethiopian War, landlocked Ethiopia mainly relied on the seaports of Asseb and Massawa in Eritrea for international trade.

Prior Executive Editors include John V. Dodge ( 1950 – 1964 ) and Philip W. Goetz.

Prior to the Gatling gun, the only weapons available to militaries capable of firing many projectiles in a short space of time were mass-firing volley weapons like the French Reffye mitrailleuse in 1870 – 71, or field cannons firing canister, much like a very large shotgun.

Prior to the Seven Years ' War ( 1756 – 63 ), the economy of Saint-Domingue gradually expanded, with sugar and, later, coffee becoming important export crops.

* Prior Aymer – Prior of Jorvaulx

* 1664 – Matthew Prior, English poet and diplomat ( d. 1721 )

Prior to the publication of The Kalevala, Elias Lönnrot compiled several related works including the three-part Kantele ( 1829 – 1831 ) the Old Kalevala ( 1835 ) and the Kanteletar ( 1840 ).

Prior to the 18th century, Afghans have served in the militaries of the Ghaznavids ( 963 – 1187 ), Ghurids ( 1148 – 1215 ), Delhi Sultanate ( 1206 – 1527 ) and the Mughal Empire of India ( 1526 – 1858 ) as well as in the army of the Persian Empire.

Prior to his graduation, he won a statewide academic contest for a scholarship to Rutgers .< ref > Boyle and Bunie: 41 – 42 ; cf.

Prior to his short papacy, he had been a Canon Lawyer, diplomat, and chief administrator during the reign of Pope Gregory XIV ( 1590 – 1591 ).

* 1980 – Mark Prior, American baseball player

* 1721 – Matthew Prior, English poet and diplomat ( b. 1664 )

Prior to its affiliation with The Greens – European Free Alliance, the SNP had previously been allied with the European Progressive Democrats ( until 1984 ), Rainbow Group ( 1989 – 1994 ) and European Radical Alliance ( 1994 – 1999 ).

Prior to Independence, Thomas Mifflin was a member of Pennsylvania's Provincial Assembly ( 1772 – 1776 ).

Prior to the events, the university received a facelift that included extensive renovations to the Rice – Eccles Stadium, a light rail track leading to downtown Salt Lake City, a new student center known as the Heritage Center, an array of new student housing, and a 134-room campus hotel and conference center.