Jan. 4, 2002 – Delegate Donna M. Christensen announced on Friday that she will not attend the inaugural events for Gov. Charles W. Turnbull and Lt. Gov.-elect Vargrave Richards because she needs to be back in the nation's capital to take part on Tuesday in the swearing-in activities of the new Congress and to attend meetings of the Democratic Caucus.
However, she said she expects to return to the territory for the swearing-in of the 25th Legislature and for the governor's State of the Territory address.
Christensen, who has been at home on St. Croix for the yearend holidays and Crucian Festival activities, plans to return to Washington, D.C., on Sunday. The V.I. inaugural events are set for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
"Because of the early schedule of meetings for the Democratic Caucus and activities surrounding the opening of the 108th Congress, I will be unable to attend the inaugural festivities," she said. Her legislative director, Brian Modeste, will represent her at events in the St. Thomas-St. John district, and her St. Croix office director, Claire Roker, will do so on St. Croix, she said.
The delegate will take the oath of her fourth term in Congress at a ceremony set for noon Tuesday. It will be televised on C-Span. She said she will participate in Democratic Caucus meetings on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday dealing with an economic stimulus proposal and a national security agenda. Both issues "are extremely important to us here in the territory," she said.
In extending congratulations to Turnbull and Richards, Christensen said: "Each inauguration carries with it the possibility of great accomplishment. My wish for them both is that they are inspired to the greatness to which they have been called."
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