Gov. Charles W. Turnbull has proclaimed Wednesday as Casper Holstein Day in the Virgin Islands in honor of the civic leader, humanitarian, statesman and community patron born on St. Croix in 1876.
Holstein led the fight for the territory's political advancement and was instrumental in the U.S. Congress passing the Organic Act of 1936, upon which the Revised Organic Act of 1954 is based.
Holstein gave generously to charities and worked with the American Red Cross in providing assistance to Virgin Islanders. He provided college scholarships for Virgin Islanders as well and set up the first homesteading program for St. Croix farmers.
In his proclamation, Turnbull paid tribute to Holstein's "outstanding and distinguished public service, and his contribution to the advancement of the self-government which we all enjoy today."
