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Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Centennial Commission Seeks Public Input

The Transfer Centennial Commission invited public suggestions for activities to be held during the territory’s 100th anniversary as a United States affiliate at a meeting Saturday afternoon in the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room on St. Croix.

Gov. John deJongh Jr. appointed 14 Centennial Commission members in May and the 30th Legislature selected Sens. Myron Jackson and Sammuel Sanes to join the group in deciding how to commemorate the U.S. purchase of the Virgin Islands from Denmark in 2017.

Act No. 7157 created the temporary commission and an amendment in January specified that six commission members must be from St. Thomas, six from St. Croix and three must be from St. John. The appointees are to include presidents of two Virgin Islands organizations that foster a relationship between the territory and Denmark.

The commission members are First Lady Cecile deJongh, Lois Hassell-Habtes, Ronald Lockhart, Clement Magras and Roy Watlington from St. Thomas. From St. Croix deJongh picked Sonia Jacobs Dow, Al Franklin, Gerville Larsen, Hans Lawaetz, Dr. Eugene Petersen and Pamela Richards Samuel. The St. John appointees are Pat Harley and Robert O’Connor. Samuel has been selected chairperson and Larsen is vice chairperson.

Attending Saturdays meeting were Samuel, deJongh, Hassel-Habtes, Larsen, Lawaetz and Petersen.

“The goal of any successful event is getting full participation,” Larsen said, encouraging the audience to come forward with ideas and recommendations.

Petersen said the committee decided not to plan any events before the community had a chance to offer recommendations and get involved.

Eight people testified in the Senate chamber beginning with Gustave James, who spoke of being a proud American. He said Virgin Islanders “have been loyal subjects” but “inferior citizens,” without the right to vote for president or have a vote in the U.S. Congress.

“We can’t expect equality unless we speak up for it,” James said and suggested the commission use the events to seek full citizenship.

“We see this as a platform to draw this to the world’s attention. It will never come again. We couldn’t pay to get this attention,” Samuel said in support of James’ request.

Carl Christopher echoed James comments. When asked for suggestions by deJongh, he recommended a forum on international rights of indigenous people and exchanges of technology between the territory and Denmark and Africa.

Petersen asked whether the commission has the authority to seek change in federal law regarding citizenship.

“This is our time to bring it forward. Why can’t we vote for president? Why don’t we have the same rights? Our children are asking, so it’s been far too long,” Hassell-Habtes said.

While agreeing that Virgin Islanders are not treated as full citizens, Lawaetz said territory sports teams are allowed to participate in international events and not part of the United States. They are considered a separate country because they can’t vote for president.

Another speaker with a cause was former senator Ronald Russell who said it should be a goal to have a V.I. constitution in place before March 2017. He asked the commission to help move forward the process that has been unsuccessful in the past.

“It (the centennial) is a expression of our history not just a celebration,” Russell said.

David Hayes spoke on behalf of the St. Croix Archaeological Society. He informed the group that the national society plans a convention with 150 to 200 people participating on St. Croix in July 2017. Hayes wants to work with the Centennial Commission to insure both events are successful.

Several people spoke to the committee to make sure segments of the community are included in the events.

Kevin Jackson talked about his family history and said, “Don’t forget the contract workers” who came to the territory in the early 1900s.

Mary Roebuck suggested contacting the Transfiguration Lutheran Church in New York City, because some of the parishioners have V.I. roots.

Anna Walbom, with the Danish West Indies Society, suggested sending local historians to Denmark to learn the language and translate the Danish archives that contain a great amount of V.I. history. Walbom said the Society would support the project.

Historian Elizabeth Rezende spoke on behalf of struggling nonprofit organizations and asked the commission to request Legislative funding to help with the centennial events.

A date was not set for the next meeting, but Samuel suggested those who are interested visit the Facebook page.

To contact the Centennial Commission with suggestions or to volunteer, email transfercentennial2017@ gmail.com.

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