Jan. 12, 2002 – Monday's swearing-in of the 25th Legislature and presentation of the governor's State of the Territory address take place on St. Thomas in Emancipation Garden and at the Legislature Building.
The public is invited to view the swearing-in, which is scheduled for 10 a.m. in Emancipation Garden, with Territorial Court Presiding Judge Maria Cabret administering the oath of office to the 15 senators. Following the ceremony, the lawmakers will proceed to the Earle B. Ottley Senate Chamber in the Legislature Building for the formal opening of the 25th Legislature.
The opening session will be shown on a large-screen television set up in the building courtyard, where seats will be set up to accommodate the public.
At 7 p.m., Gov. Charles W. Turnbull is to present his State of the Territory address in the Senate chamber.
Citizens for a Fiscally Responsible Government, a grassroots community group organized to protest hefty pay raises for top elected officials, has announced it will hold a silent demonstration, wearing black, on Monday evening prior to the governor's address. The St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John American Federation of Teachers locals, Our Virgin Islands Labor Union, and other community groups are expected to be represented..
Although Turnbull vetoed the pay raises on Friday, participants at a Friday evening meeting of the citizens' group said they will demonstrate nonetheless, because of other fiscal issues that need to be addressed.
The swearing-in, the opening legislative session and the governor's address will be carried live by WTJX-TV and Innovative Cable's Channel 2, 32 on St. Croix and 12 on St. Thomas.
The Legislature has no other meetings scheduled this week.
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