VI UPDATE
U.S. Virgin Islands Public Records
TRANSCRIPT OF PUBLIC PROCEEDINGS
35th Legislature Oath of Office Ceremony
Legislature USVI
recording published January 10, 2023 · 3.0 hours · gov
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https://youtu.be/ea4QC-o13Es
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Music Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
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Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I love you.
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Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
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Thank you. You Thank you. [2 such phrases repeated 8 times · standby audio before the proceeding, transcribed by the
recogniser as speech]
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Thank you. Oh Oh, my God.
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Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
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Oh, my God. Oh, my God. I'll see you next time. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
0:14:30
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
0:17:30
Thank you. I love you. [2 such phrases repeated 10 times · standby audio before the proceeding, transcribed by the
recogniser as speech]
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Thank you. Thank you. so Oh, my God.
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Thank you. Thank you. Oh, my God. Thank you. hello
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Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Oh, my God. Thank you. Thank you.
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Transcription by ESO. Translation by · ¶¶ E lo, la, la, la, la, la, la, la...
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¶¶ ¶¶ Thank you. Thank you. ¶¶
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Legislature USVI · 35th Legislature Oath of Office Ceremony
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. ¶¶ La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La
La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La
La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La
La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La
La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La
La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La
La La La La La La La La La La La La Thank you.
0:35:59
Lino la la de los dedos hay Lino la la de los dedos hay ¶¶ Thank you.
0:38:58
¶¶ Thank you. Thank you.
0:40:28
Yeah, I can't think. Thank you.
0:41:57
Thank you. I want to move away with it. I want to move away with it. I want to move away.
0:42:57
The organizing session of the 35th Legislature is hereby called to order. I'm going to do it again. We will now have the
Postal of the Colors by the Ivana Udurakin Junior Reserve Officers. Color guard, attention.
0:43:57
Please stand. Forward, march. Mark time! March! Color Guard! Halt! Present! Arms! Madame President, the colors are
present. The Ivana Udera 10 90 Race Battalion Color Guard request permission to post the colors.
0:44:35
Post the colors Crisscross watch the camera It's unsure, don't worry about it.
0:45:19
Post. Post. Present arms. Order arms. Puss! Call the guard! Puss!
0:45:55
please remain standing for the invocation by reverend charles brown lord god almighty maker of heaven and earth on this
day we crown you as the one who is over all and in all and as jehovah you have the final say therefore we set aside this
brief moment at the outset of the organization of the 35th legislature of these virgin islands to invoke your presence in
this gathering today to invoke means to call upon and we call upon you oh righteous creator because it is you who has
permitted the newly inaugurated members of the 35th legislature to form one body today we call upon you holy father to
get all up inside these men and women elected to be public servants that they may walk the walk and not just talk the talk
we call upon jesus christ lamb of god who takes away the sins of the world to be the model that when there is any
question about ethics and morals that these men and women would strive to always treat the people's needs as holy we
call upon you holy spirit that it may challenge these fallible individuals to deliberate like there is no eye in teamwork and
to legislate in a manner that is worthy of the calling in which they have accepted finally yahweh we call upon you to
bring your angels of wisdom and love faith and justice into the organization of this body that they may embody what it
truly means to be servant leaders. This we ask in your holy and precious name. Amen. Amen. Amen. I will now hear
from Ms. Akeon Harrigan, the Virgin Islands March and
0:46:49
Oh say can you see by the dawn's early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming whose broad stripes
and bright stars through the perilous fight o'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming And the rocket's red
glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that a flag was still there.
0:48:54
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? All hail the Virgin
Islands, emeralds of the sea, where beaches bright with coral sands, And trade will bless our native land All hail the
Virgin Islands Bathed in waters blue We give our loyalty For to thee I pledge allegiance forever true God bless the Virgin
Islands Lovely now we pray Where all mankind can join today In friendly warmth of work and play God bless the Virgin
Islands
0:50:15
Beautiful and tall Beneath the sunny skies Hilltops have a lot of welcome For one and all you may be seated thank you
Mr. Harrigan and thank you for spending time with us today we know you belong in school thank you for being here
thank you for your parents for allowing you to be here with us today Well, good afternoon again to everyone. Good
afternoon to the clergy, to the members of the 35th legislature, family, friends, guests, well-wishers. I want to say a
special good afternoon to my sons Anwar and Ajay Gregory and my campaign manager, Ms. Pamela Berkeley, and my
friend Levi. Thank you all for being here.
0:52:06
Everybody looks bright, and we are ready for the road. My name is Senator Donna Fred Gregory, and this afternoon I
will serve as the presiding officer. As the temporary, let's not forget, as a temporary presiding officer. At this This time
we will have the rule call by Madam Clerk. Madam Clerk, rule call, please. Senator Marvin A. Blyton. Present. Senator
Blyton, present. Senator Angel L. Bocas, Jr. Present. Senator Bocas, Jr., present.
0:53:18
Senator Diane Capehart. Present. Senator Capehart, present. Senator Samuel Carrion. Present. Senator Carrion, present.
Senator Dwayne M. DeGraff. Here. Senator DeGraff, present. Senator Ray Fonseca. Present. Senator Fonseca, present.
0:53:55
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Legislature USVI · 35th Legislature Oath of Office Ceremony
Senator Novell E. Francis Jr. Here. Senator Francis Jr., present. Senator Alma Francis Heiliger. Present. Senator Francis
Heiliger, present. Senator Donna A. Fred Gregory. Here. Senator Fred Gregory, present. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins.
Here. Senator Gittins, present. Senator Maurice James. Here. Senator James, present. Senator Javon E. James Sr. Present.
Senator James Sr., present. Senator Franklin D. Johnson. Senator Johnson, present. Senator Carla J. Joseph. Present.
Senator Joseph, present. Senator Milton E. Potter. Here. Senator Potter, present. Madam President, 15 members present.
Thank you.
0:54:27
We have a quorum so we can proceed with today's business. Madam Clerk, do we have any correspondence to be read
into the record? Yes, Madam President. You may proceed. Letter dated December 14, 2022, via hand delivery. Honorable
Donna M. Fred Gregory, Senate President, 34th Legislature of the Virgin Islands, Capitol Building, St. Thomas, Virgin
Islands, 00802. Request for extension to present the 35th Legislature of the Virgin Islands, the state of the territory. Dear
Madam President, in accordance with the revised Organic Act of 1954, I acknowledge that the state of the territory is
mandated to be delivered each year on the second monday of january according to the mandate i am to appear before the
35th legislature on monday january 9th 2023 to present the state of the territory however i am humbly requesting an
extension of this mandate to present the state of the territory for the brian roach administration on monday january 23rd
2023 at 7 pm thank you in advance for your consideration and i look forward to this collaboration should you have any
questions or concerns please feel free to contact carl knight chief of staff sincerely albert bryan jr governor thank you
madam clerk do you have the response response january 3rd 2022 the honorable albert brian jr governor of the virgin
islands office of the governor number 20-21 congress garter charlotte amali saint thomas virgin islands 00802. dear
governor brian congratulations on your re-election as governor of the u.s virgin
0:54:56
Allen's. I look forward to a continued positive working relationship with you. The 34th legislature is in receipt of your
correspondence wherein you requested an extension to deliver the state of the territory address in accordance with the
revised organic act of 1954 from January 9, 2023 to jan january 23rd 2023 as i will not be serving in the capacity of
president in the 35th legislature i have consulted with the incoming president senate president-elect of the 35th legislature
honorable novelle e francis jr through this correspondence please be advised that your requests of December 16 2022 to
deliver the state of the territory address to the 35th legislature on Monday January 23rd 2023 at 7 p.m. has been granted
please have your office contact Mrs. Correll Sheridan executive director of the legislature at 340-693 three five three
seven to make the necessary arrangements sincerely Donna a Fred Gregory Senate president 34th legislature of the Virgin
Islands thank you madam clerk before we proceed before we proceed I would like to take this opportunity to welcome
our BVI friends and family I'm going to ask The Honorable Marlon A. Penn, the Minister of Health and Social
Development of District 8, to please stand. District Rep, to please stand.
0:56:52
And the Honorable Alvera Maduro Canes, Junior, Minister of Tourism, and District 6 Representative, please stand. An
Honorable Carvin Malone, Territorial at Large member, please stand to be recognized. Thank you, and thank you for
always being here for us. Senator Gittins, you recognize your motion.
0:58:51
Thank you, Madam President. Good afternoon to all. I'm president, I move that bill number, correction, BR number
23-0001 be given a resolution to organize the 35th legislature, the Virgin Islands be given a number and added to today's
agenda for consideration from this August body, I so move. The request for bill number 23, BR number 23-001 to be
placed on today's agenda to be given a bill number has been properly moved by Senator Kenneth L. Gittins, seconded by
Carla J. Joseph, Nova Lee Francis Jr. Hearing one objection, rule call please. One objection, rule call please. Objected to
by Senator DeGraff, rule call please.
0:59:25
Senator Marvin A. Blyden. Senator Blyden, yay. Senator Anghel L. Bocas, Jr. Senator Bocas, Jr., yay. Senator Diane
Capehart. Senator Capehart, yay. Senator Samuel Carrion. Senator Carrion, not voting. Senator Dwayne M. DeGraff.
Senator DeGraff, nay. Senator Ray Fonseca. Senator Fonseca, yay. Senator Novell E. Francis, Jr. Senator Francis, Jr.,
yay. Senator Alma Francis Heiliger.
1:00:21
Senator Francis Heiliger, nay. Senator Donna A. Fred Gregory. Yes. Senator Fred Gregory, yay. Senator Kenneth L.
Gittins. Yes. Senator Gittins, yay. Senator Maurice James. Senator James, yay. Senator Javon E. James Senior. Senator
James Senior, yay. Senator Franklin D. Johnson. Senator Johnson, nay. Senator Carla J. Joseph. Senator Joseph, yay.
Senator Milton Potter, Senator Potter, yay. Madam President, 11 yeas, three nays, one not voting.
1:00:55
Thank you, Madam Clerk, motion adopted. Legal Counsel, what is the bill number assigned to this VR today? Madam
President, the bill number is 350001. Thank you. Madam Clerk, can you please read Bill 34.0001 has been added to
today's agenda. Madam Clerk, can you please read today's resolution. In the essence of time, I'm going to ask you to read
Bill No. 35-001, Sections 2 and 3.
1:01:33
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Legislature USVI · 35th Legislature Oath of Office Ceremony
Bill No. 35-0001, a resolution organizing and establishing the majority caucus, electing the officers and appointing the
chairpersons, vice chairspersons, and members of the standing committees of the 35th Legislature of the Virgin Islands,
proposed by Senators Novell E. Francis Jr., Marvin A. Blyden, Carla J. Joseph, Angel L. Bolquez Jr., Diane T. Capehart,
Ray Fonseca, Donna A. Freck Gregory, Kenneth L. Gittins, Javan E. James Sr., Maurice C. James, and Milton E. Potter.
Be it resolved by the legislature of the Virgin Islands that section two the majority caucus is established and composed of
Senator Marvin A. Blyden, Senator Angel L. Bolkis Jr., Senator Diane T. Capehart, Senator Ray Fonseca, Senator Novell
E. Francis Jr., Senator Donna A. Fred Gregory, Senator Kenneth L. Gittins, Senator Javan E. James Sr., Senator Maurice
C. James, Senator Carl J. Joseph and Senator Milton E. Potter. Section three, the following members are elected to the
offices of the 35th legislature as provided in this section. Senator Novell E. Francis Jr. is elected president. Senator
Marvin A. Blyden is elected vice president. Senator Carla J. Joseph is elected secretary. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins is
elected majority leader. Senator Maurice C. James is elected secretary of Intergovernmental Territorial Affairs. Senator
Donna A. Fred Gregory is elected liaison to the United States Congress. Senator Carla J. Joseph is elected liaison to
United States Department of Interior and Office of Insular Affairs. And Senator Kenneth L. Gettins is elected liaison to
the White House. This concludes the reading of sections two and three of the resolution, Madam President.
1:02:30
Thank you, Madam Clerk. And you've already read up the first item on the agenda, so we're gonna move on. So bill
number 34-0001 has been adopted, but 35-0001 has been adopted. Oh, we didn't adopt it, I'm sorry. Roll call on bill
number 34. I'm trying to get out of the seat. I'm trying to get up the seat. Roll call on bill number 35.0001. You're
recognized for your point of order, Senator. Madam President, two points.
1:04:29
One point of order is, we don't have no rules, number one to even special order bill to the floor. Senator, Senator. That's
my first point of order. Dwayne M.D. Graff, I'm ruling you out of order. You're out of order. Thank you. Roll call on bill
number 35, that's zero, zero, zero, one. Senator Marvin A. Blythe. Senator Blythe, I'm not voting. Senator Angel L.
Bocas, Jr.? Senator Bocas, Jr.? Senator Bocas, Jr., yay.
1:05:10
Senator Dianne T. K. Park? Yes. Senator K. Park? Yes. Senator Samuel Carrion? No. Senator Carrion? No. Senator
Dwayne M. DeGraff? No. No. Senator DeGraff? Nay. Senator Ray Fonseca? Yes. Senator Fonseca? Yay. Senator Novell
E. Francis Jr. Yes. Senator Francis Jr. Yay. Senator Alma Francis Heiliger? No. Senator Francis Heiliger? Nay. Fred
Gregory? Yes. Senator Fred Gregory? Yay. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins? Yes. Senator Gittins? Yay. Senator Maurice D.
James?
1:05:52
Yes. Senator James? Yay. Senator Javon E. James, Sr. Yes. Senator James, Sr., yay. Senator Franklin D. Johnson? No.
Senator Johnson? Nay. Senator Carla J. Joseph? Yes. Senator Joseph? Yay. Senator Milton Potter? Yes. Senator Potter?
Yay. Madam President? Ten yays, three nays, two not voting. Please record Senator Marvin A. Blyton's vote as yes.
Senator Blyton, yay. Madam President, 11 yays, three nays, one not voting.
1:06:30
Bill number 35-0001 has been adopted. thank you sigh of relief I'm going to call mr. president to the podium senator
Nova Lee Francis, Jr., to the platform, please.
1:07:06
Thank you. Thank you. I can't make it.
1:08:20
Thank you. Thank you.
1:09:50
Thank you. A pleasant good afternoon to the people of the Virgin Islands.
1:10:50
This is your president speaking. On behalf of the members of the 35th Legislature of the Virgin Islands, I want to
welcome each and every one of you to the Earl B. Atlee legislative chambers. I want to take this opportunity to come in.
Madam President, Donna Fred Gregory for her leadership and stewardship of the 34th legislature of the Virgin Islands.
Today is democracy at its greatest. A smooth transition of government and leadership. we all saw read and heard of the
chaos nationally. 15 votes it took for them to be able to establish the Congress of the United States. But here in the Virgin
Islands we have been able to do a smooth transition of leadership with 15 members. I think the people of the Virgin
Islands should be commended for their selection of my colleagues and I to the 35th Legislature of the Virgin Islands.
1:11:29
I certainly want to welcome the BVI delegations, family, friend, well-wishers, my colleagues, my wife Avril and all that's
present here today and being a part of this swearing-in ceremony. I see former colleagues, I see a commissioner, I see the
Democratic Party leadership, I see the CEO of WTJX. Good afternoon. Good Good afternoon to one and all. Today, the
rules of engagement will be relatively simple. We intend to allow for my colleagues to be able to do a five minute
introduction.
1:12:57
And before I go forward, again, I just want to recognize the leadership of the 35th legislature, the Vice President, Senator
Marvin Blyden. Madam Secretary, Carla J. Joseph, and the Majority Leader, Senator Kenneth L. Gittins. At the
conclusion of today's proceedings, we will be taking a recess, because in fact the, I just wanted to at least put out a notice
1:13:44
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Legislature USVI · 35th Legislature Oath of Office Ceremony
that in fact, because there were some questions as to whether or not we have the authority to be able to allow for the
governor to come on the 23rd. We will be taking a recess for that purpose. Of course, the revised Agotic Act determines
that on the swearing in of this legislature that the governor shall present the State of the Territory's address.
So today is a good day, to God be the glory, and we'll start again. We want to recognize you, Senator Gittins, for your
motion. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move that all senators be granted a five-minute point of personal
privilege to give their remarks. I so move. Motion made by Senator Gittin, seconded by Senator Carla Joseph, Senator
Blyden, Senator Francis Heiliger. Hearing no objection, so ordered.
1:14:49
Any other motions, Senator? Very well. Senator Alma Francis Heiliger, you're recognized for your five minutes I would
like to say to God be the glory this is I am very very honored to be here I think as a second term senator in my head right
now I'm hearing the building and it's time for round two I think having an opportunity to be given by the people of this
territory a chance to come and represent them in this 35th legislature. I am deeply honored. I think during my first term I
learned a lot. I learned about my colleagues and camaraderie. I I learned about learning to compromise, I learned about
making sure that always try to dot your I's and cross your T's, because when we have the job of creating laws to govern
this entire territory, we have to take that job seriously. But I want to say thank you to my supporters. I want to say thank
you to the people that worked really hard for several years to make sure that I stand here before you today. I want to say
thank you to my staff who tirelessly assisted me in making sure that I got my work done on behalf of the people. I also
want to say special thank you to my husband. He's in the audience. He never wants to come up here. one of those that like
to stay in the background but when you have somebody in your corner that will move heaven and earth for you when
everybody says no but he said baby if you want this we gonna get this and i don't think a lot of people know that that man
is my biggest backbone So when they're in head throwing stuff, I have he to go home too. So are you okay? It don't
bother me.
1:15:32
Understand that. I also want to say my niece is also here, Shakira. But I also want to talk about the institution itself. You
know, shortly while everybody was here, a copy of this was put on my desk five minutes before we started. I had to speed
through it because I'm one of those senators don't vote for nothing if I ain't got a chance to read it. That is my
responsibility. But I also know that the rules of this institution is just as important.
1:18:02
And I'm very, very disappointed that this is my second term and I still don't have any rules in front of me to vote on
today. The one fundamental thing to govern this body is how we interact, how we make decisions and what we're
governed by. And I'm very taken back that again we don't have any rules and I'm gonna tell you how important these
rules are. By 1201 today every single senator in here had to turn in their bills and depending on how those rules are
written would be the outcome one as to who will get an opportunity as to whose bills would be in front of everybody
else's I have no clue what is in that document I have no idea what we're being governed by today and that is unfortunate I
sent in over 55 bills they told me the file was so big it couldn't send out I had to split it up in four so now I have no clue
based on these non-existent rules what the outcome is going to be and I'm simply asking from henceforward if anybody is
here in the 36 make sure that we have the rules and swearing-in day, so we could govern this institution properly.
1:18:41
That's all I'm asking. 30 seconds. Outside of that, I look forward to working with my colleagues. Novell sat here with me
for the last two years, and he was my little buddy because, you know, we're both Francises, and we would go back and
forth. And I appreciate every single person in here. because we all bring something to the table but at the end of the day i
am here to represent the people of this territory time and i would like to thank you again for giving me this opportunity to
speak and thank you all for being here thank you thank you very much senator francis heiliger and congratulations and
your re-election look forward to working with you again senator gittins you recognize for your motion thank you uh mr
president mr president and colleagues i move that the 35th legislature the virgin islands adopt the rules of the 34th
legislature uh iso move motion properly made by senator gittins seconded by senator gittins objected to by I'm sorry,
seconded by Senator Blyden, objected to by Senator DeGraff, roll call. Senator Marvin A. Blyden. Senator Blyden, yay.
Senator Angel L. Bokes, Jr. Senator Bokes, Jr., yay. Senator Dianne, nay. Senator Angel L. Bokes, Jr., nay. Senator
Diane Capehart.
1:20:13
Senator Capehart, yay. Senator Samuel Cadillone. Senator Carrion? We're in the middle of a motion, Senators, the
quorum. Senator Carrion? Not voting. Senator Carrion? No. Senator Dwayne M. DeGraff? No. Senator DeGraff? Nay.
Senator Ray Fonseca? Yes. Senator Fonseca? Yay.
1:21:53
Senator Novell E. Francis Jr? Yay. Senator Francis Jr. Yay. Senator Alma Francis Heiliger. Senator Francis Heiliger, nay.
Senator Donna A. Fred Gregory. Senator Fred Gregory, not voting. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins. Senator Gittins, yay.
Senator Maurice C. James. Senator James, yay. Senator Javon E. James Sr. Senator James Sr., yay. Senator Franklin D.
Johnson. Senator Johnson, nay. Senator Carla J. Joseph. Senator Joseph, yay.
1:22:25
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Legislature USVI · 35th Legislature Oath of Office Ceremony
Senator Milton Potter, Senator Potter, yay. Madam President, sorry, Mr. President, nine yays. Please record Senator Dona
Fred Gregory's vote as yes. Senator Fred Gregory, yay. Mr. President, 10 yays, five nays. Thank you very much, Madam
Clerk. The motion carries. Point of order, Senator Gittins, you recognize. thank you mr. president mr. president going
forward we need to look at our decorum and all senators should be referred to as senator and their last name no first name
calling as of this point we have adopted the rules thank Thank you very much, Senator Gittins. So noted, Senator
Johnson, you're recognized for your five minutes at this time.
1:22:59
Good afternoon. The majority have a right to be wrong. That's why I want to ask you, Senator Bayuso says, I'm going to
adapt it for a long time. You know, I want to start off by thanking God. Without God, none of this would be possible. one
second senator please hold the senator time his mic please please recognize senator johnson's mic hello good afternoon
i'm going to start out again the majority have a right to be dead wrong that's celestino a little quote right and i i support it i
want to start out by thanking god without God none of this is possible Psalm 23 verse 4 even though I walk through the
darkest valley I will fear no evil for you are with me your rod and your staff will protect and comfort me want to make
sure I get that straight today here with my daughter, Siobhan Johnson, and my two grandchildren, two of the four, Rashi
and Rashi. They're here with me. I appreciate you flying, coming home to be here with me. I love you. This is my big
cook for my campaign. When she come home, she cooks just about any and everything.
1:24:00
My mom also do. My mom was not doing as well and she couldn't make it here today. She wanted to badly and she's a
little angry with me but I kind of have to look out for her now so I made some decision. I have some good friends here
with me. Mr. Aubrey Bidwater, they say he's the Prime Minister up there. Mr. Carl Edson here on the Big Rock he's here
with me I thank you guys. Tasselda who works hard with my campaign is here. A very good friend Olena Pell is here and
Mr. Mowen Pata the former administrator he's here with me and I thank you guys for being here I wanted to bring the
whole last thing, but it didn't work out that way. I will repeat what I said in the 34th legislature.
1:25:25
I come in here today with a smile and an open hand to each and every one of you, my colleagues, to work with you. If I
am meet or met with a fist or a frown, I want you to understand I'm going back to the people who put me here. And I will
tell them who is holding up progress. I will tell them, the Virgin Islands is a perfect place today. We have a president
that's a Democrat.
1:26:12
We have a congresswoman that's a Democrat. We have a majority of our senators here are Democrats. We have a new
president that is Democrat. there's no reason why our people should be living how they're living none whatsoever i spoke
to someone up to today they talk about these blue roof homes this program some six years ago we was hit with a storm
and our people they're not living good they still got washpan in the bedroom in the living room in the kitchen kitchen
water every time it rain we supposed to be the leaders to make sure that our people don't live like that six years we better
do something your time gonna come you don't get to my time now six years you talk about the quorum that's right six
years one minute since this hurricane pass and our people still living bad i will continue to fight for the people who put
me here. I will continue answering my phone and I challenge every one of you all to answer your phone to the people
when they call you because you don't call them for the vote. So when they call you answer the phone because I don't
answer mine. As a matter of fact I'll challenge anyone that I have more contacts in our phone than I do and the only
reason I have those contacts is because people call dearly with complaints with problems this is serious times and we
have to do better for our people our people cannot continue living in these conditions and we cannot as leaders sit back
I'm willing to travel with our lie although I'm independent to Congress if that's what it takes to move these measures to
make sure that these people homes get fix i am not comfortable sleeping at night 30 seconds because there's a lot of
people
1:26:42
that isn't comfortable sleeping at night when it rains i challenge you today is a very good day as the president said we
went through this process without a bunch of hiccup yes we the minority will continue to object and we'll continue to
vote no if we don't support something that you bring in the 34th legislature i stand alone many times didn't bother me i'm
standing here again and i will stand alone if i feel it's not in the best interest of the people at this territory time have no
fear of that thank you very much mr president and god bless these beautiful virgin islands thank you very much senator
johnson again congratulations on your re-election i look forward to working with you center the graph you recognize for
your five minutes at this time uh thank you mr president uh congratulations mr president congratulations to my
colleagues to the people of the rural islands thank you very much for giving me another opportunity but before i get into
i'm gonna end on a good note but incidentally there are a couple of things need to be put in place in the legislature we all
adults i respect everybody but there's a process you don't special order some you don't have no rules to special order it
that's what the objection was about it wasn't objecting to be objected the governor don't send down a letter to ask to
request to extend something when the law says hey are we gonna send him a letter to say it's okay it don't work like that it
has processes to go through that's all it is i'm here to defend i ain't here to give to to um go along to get along there are
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veterans who went to
war to provide the freedoms that we hear living off of and having fun at i was one of them i went to war so hey so i mean
you know i ain't apologetic for anything because what the right way is the only way i know how to do it but again is as a
body i'm in full support of a body i'm a minority senator been here for four terms i i'm a team player when i have to be
but i ain't gonna go along to get along and don't tell me what my decorum i'm a grown man full grown adult we all in here
because i'm gonna tell you about your decorum i respect you for that okay but most of all this is about appreciation for
me in my fourth term i was just as eager as when i came in in my first term to do the people's job I thank the Almighty
first of all I wouldn't have been here none of us without the Almighty I thank my family I have my Queen stand up I was
put on this but you guys stand up my Queen Juliet my daughter Rashida my staff member Miss King and and I have a
small but very dynamic uh campaign committee uh you know we we pack a big punch small team but it's about the
grassroot it's about getting out there and doing things for the people but again like i said if you want me to be a yes man
he's a wrong man don't don't don't don't come for me ain't gonna happen in the senate ain't gonna happen in life i i my
parents didn't raise me that way friends raised me respect i respect everyone here you want to disrespect me that's your
business i ain't gonna stoop to that but where it come to doing the people business there's processes in here again that we
go based on now i agree with my colleagues in terms of the four of us here are the minority you see our name was on the
uh document that was just passed around and i'm okay with that But again, we're going to make sure the majority doing it
according to the process. Why? Because I'm willing to support the majority. And I wouldn't tell any of my minority
senators not to support them. But like I say, we're going to support when it's done the proper way.
1:30:35
Mr. President, this is the second go wrong. I support you 100%. So there's no question about it. But you know how we
understand? You know, I don't say yes to say yes. I will support you 100%, Vice President, Secretary. one minute 30
seconds a majority leader full respect but again it ain't gonna happen on my watch and like i say you i could go sleep
have fun i gonna keep watch nothing or sleep by here with me and before i finish again i got to enter a exit on iphone
savannah the best place in the world and i always say it because again i have been around the world and there's no place
better than the virgin islands none so i will end on that uh thank you all for coming thank you for supporting everyone
thank you to the people of our name for supporting me my colleagues again congratulations and best wishes thank you
thank you very much senator the graph and again congratulations on your re-election to the 35th legislature and i We
look forward to working with you.
1:32:56
Senator Carillon, you'll recognize for your five minutes. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. Good afternoon to the
people of the Virgin Islands and to everyone that is here present. Still the beginning of the year, right? So Happy New
Year to everyone. I would like to first start, once again, current relationship and also each and every one my colleagues
who are part now of the 35th legislature, and start off also by thanking God, the almighty creator. Without him, we can't
do anything, right? All things come and are provided through him. So I'm very grateful. I'm humbled by his mercy, his
love, and his grace that allows me to be here today. And also to the people of my district of St. Croix, Mi Gente de Santa
Cruz, who allow me the opportunity to once again in a second term be able to serve and represent them. Gracias, thank
you very much. I really take this honor and this opportunity to continue to represent you and to fight on your behalf and I
will continue doing that. I also would like to thank my family extended and those that are here present. My daughter is is
here with me Genesis can you please stand so everybody could see you she is a student at UVI and also working hard as a
pharmacy technician very proud of her her mother is also here somewhere in the back and my son who couldn't be here
with me today Samuel Haffet destiny and Isabella I love you all they're watching I love you I also have some supporters
and friends that are here with me my adopted father who is here presenting my mother and my dad Jose Martinez thank
you for being here with us and my good brother from here from Latin St. Croix Angelimenez thank you for being here
with us I also would like to say thank you to my campaign staff my
1:34:05
campaign people who assisted and without them this wouldn't have been possible so I want to say thank you to campaign
manager Jose Perez who is watching and everyone who's been part of the team all the supporters and volunteer thank you
so much but also to my staff I have here with me my chief of staff Sony Andrew can you please stand part of my staff I
also have here Soraya Ferreira please stand And the other two are working behind the scenes, Jenela John and Elani
John-Baptiste, thank you. We are as strong as our staff are, and we are as strong as our group of campaign workers and
volunteers, and without them, we wouldn't be here today. So I really wanted to extend my appreciation and gratitude to
them for all the support they have provided. Also, I am looking forward to working with my colleagues the 35th uh now
on the 35th i'm on this side of the aisle i'm in the minority i'm not in the majority but this is not really about the majority
or the minority it's really about the people and that's what i am about about the people and i'm about my district of st croix
but i'm also about the whole virgin islands because this is home for me and i will continue to work along with my
colleagues across the aisle whoever i have to work for work with to ensure that we can improve the quality of life for our
people in the virgin islands we have tremendous issues a lot of things that we need to fix we know things are not going to
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be changed from one night to the next it takes take time for a minute 30 seconds but i'm willing to continue to work to
make that happen and i will continue to do that so i'm looking forward to working with each of my colleague to move
meaningful legislation forward uh to improve the quality of life for everyone so thank you uh senate president you have
my support and leadership and i'm looking forward to working with each and every one of you thank you god bless the
virgin islands god bless each and every one of you uh thank you very much senator carrion um senator james said we're
asking for your indulgence real quick we're coming back to senator johnson for a one minute you recognize
thank you very much mr president i always need a lot of time i have my chief of staff here Miss Maureen Maynard sitting
behind me and I was so passionate about what I had to say. This young lady, please stand up. Let us see your man. Really
is my backbone. I never knew until I selected her, but I have never met a more loyal person and that means everything to
me. She got my back. Thank you very much. I really appreciate you. Thank you very much. Thank you. You're welcome.
Senator James Sr., you recognize for your five minutes the millennial of the legislature go right ahead greetings to the
people of the u.s virgin islands i would like to say thank you to the almighty god a special thank you to my family who is
here with me shamera james my beautiful daughter janice my other daughter Amira and my son Javon E. James Jr. and I
would like to say a special happy birthday to my mother-in-law who is babysitting him in the gallery, Katherine Johnson.
I would also like to say a special thank you to team Javon James for their hard work and believing in me. I remember
when I first came on on the scene, they were like, you're too young. Remember when Marsha Montano had said, Marsha
Montano had a song, you too young for Soka. And look at Marsha Montano now. So there's nothing such as too young. I
want to say thank you to my team for believing in me. Thank you to my brother, Jonathan, who's in the gallery. Thank
you to Timothy Allen from the Big Island of St. Croix. And Moses Garden, who has been my best friend for many years.
I'm a lovely chief of staff who I consider my mom. I'm not your boss. You are my mom, you keep me in check because I
do not know everything and I need some discipline sometimes. I wanna say a special thank you to some other members
of my staff,
1:38:30
Gail Figueroa and Mr. Dwight Cartier. Congratulations, Senate President Francis. Congratulations, Vice President
Blayden and Senate secretary, Carla Joseph. And I would also like to say thank you, Madam President, former Madam
President, Donna Fred Gregory, for your due diligence in the 34th legislature of the Virgin Islands. The office of Senator
Jovan James will continue to bring meaningful legislation, ask the necessary questions in the Senate hearings, and to
make sure that I work with my colleagues to pass a balanced budget. That is our job at the end of the day. All the extra
stuff, count me out.
1:40:41
I'm here to work. I don't have time. Time is all we got. And I always try to make good use of when I'm in front of the
camera. This is part of legislative history on the record. So be careful what you place on the record. So let us be thankful
for life, because two years ago we were sworn in and all of us had our masks. We have seemed to forgotten where we've
been last two years for swearing in. Be thankful for life. We lost many individuals along the way. Some of them would
have been right here, sitting with us, but they're no longer here with us. So let us not forget the reason why we're here.
We're here to celebrate, and of course, we have to hold each other accountable. So it's not gonna be cool, yeah? So
whatever you have to say, say it. But I, Javon James, along with my team, do not have time to waste.
1:41:25
This is my third term. I do not take this lightly. The first go round, it was a learning curve. The second go round, I had it
down pat. Made some few mistakes, but we bounced back and we're here and we're ready to work. I really want to say to
my colleagues, regardless of which side of the aisle you're on, because I serve on both sides of the aisle. One minute, 30
seconds. And I can tell you I can understand how the legislature functions fully, more than anyone in aisle, besides
Senator Carrion. We worked on both sides of the aisle. but in all seriousness i want to say i love you mommy i know you
wanted to be here today but you have to teach your class for those who do not know my mom owned and operates a
home school in which my son attends so he's um late today so after it's a letter of absence but in all seriousness um
colleagues people out there they are watching us we see the comments under the legislative hearings we saw the negative
stuff let us prove individual to individuals that we can make things happen they said two heads are better than one we
have 15 so let us act like how we should with that said congratulations once again to the Senate president the vice
president and the secretary an entire legislative body not a head not a shoulder the legislative body so let us continue to
work together in the best interest of the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands and as much as we wanted the governor here
today I'm a bit disappointed but do what you have to do. We are ready to hear the state of the territory and to hold you
accountable and to make things happen of course to work together as well and big up to Senator, former Senator Myron
Jackson in the crowd. I will never forget what you have done for me in the 33rd legislature of the Virgin Islands. You
have really been there for me and to Senator DeGraff. Thank you as well. God bless the Virgin Islands. Thank you.
Thank you very much, Senator James Sr.
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You know, today we have the pleasure of having almost like three, four former Senate presidents. Certainly we have O.C.
Richards, former Senate president as well in our audience. Senator Myron Jackson, former Senate president. And I saw
Senator Neville James somewhere around as well. He's also a former Senate president. Senator Bolquez, Junior, you
recognize for your five minutes.
1:44:15
Good afternoon. Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to touch on all the different languages to make sure that we know that
we are one, right? I'm greatly honored and proud to continue solving here in the Legislature of the Virgin Islands. In the
coming days of the 35th Legislature, I look forward to organizing with my colleagues and advocating for the values and
the needs of this territory. Although we've faced many challenges these past years, divisions may run deep between us.
But the people of the Virgin Islands are counting on a government to function and provide leadership and much needed
unity so that we can work together for the common goal and the common ground of prosperity. I want to thank God for
everything that he's done for me and allowing me to be here with you today and serving you in this capacity. I would also
like to thank my staff. I'd like to thank the people that elected me more so for putting me here. Thank you. Thank you for
your confidence. To my father, the late Angel Boulkas Sr., I wish he was here right now to see me and be a part of this.
And to my mother, Patricia Mitchell, who is here with me, who has helped instill the drive to excel in whatever I want in
life and always being there to show me love. To my wife, Melissa Bolkes, thank you for being there. And to my children,
the ones who show me unconditional love, no matter what they say about me out there. Despite all those sacrifices, I
want to tell them I love them and I appreciate them. I'd also like to thank Mr. Marcelino Ventura. my campaign manager
always being there for me providing sound advice thank you for your leadership with the commencement of this 35th
legislature I'm looking forward to continuing the work that my office has begun we look forward to
1:44:54
supporting economic development food autonomy and food security technological advancements and supporting
affordable housing opportunities for Virgin islanders for low income and moderate income it is important for us to
always know that we are one this is something i said yesterday and i'm going to ring the bell again we had a very great
service on saint john and some young people sang a song that really resonates with me and i want everyone to know that
regardless of our socioeconomic backgrounds color race religion whatever it may be we are still one people we have
many different demographics of people in our society that's what makes us so unique a melting pot of cultural society and
I look forward to embracing that and supporting that so that we may find our identity as Virgin Islanders we have this
discussion about who we are the Sixth Constitutional Convention things of that nature these are very important topics and
i look forward to working with my colleagues so that we can help to move forward as one people because they have a
thing call me me right that's singular but that me need to get that m needs to get kick upside down so it could be we one
minute because we are the people as the constitution says we are the ones unity overall thank you very much mr president
Thank you very much, Senator Bolquez, and by the way we weren't able to read the entire resolution in the essence of
time, but Senator Bolquez will be the chair of the Sports, Parks, and Youth Committee on Culture, Sports, Parks, and
Youth,
1:47:11
as well as Senator Gervon James will be the chair of the Committee of Economic Development and agriculture and now
we'll hear from the before I do that I just wanted to recognize former senator Judy Gomez as well and good afternoon
thank you for being here with us next we'll hear from the former Senate president and now the chair of the committee on
budget appropriations and finance senator Donna Fred Gregory good afternoon I haven't I have not done this in a long
time I've not stood and talk for two years so this feels a little different but I will open by saying something that was said
by the pastor this morning there is unity in purpose okay and we have to remember that we're not always going to see
things the same way but there is unity in purpose and let us not forget that our motto is united in pride and hope and in
order for us to get things done we have to constantly be reminded of the importance of us being unified to get the people's
business done I want to take this opportunity to thank the Creator, to thank God for allowing me to continue to be the
good steward of the people's business of the United States Virgin Islands. And I don't say St. Thomas, St. John, because
when we vote in this body, we vote across the territory. So I want to thank God for guiding me and for guiding my
colleagues as we traverse the 34th legislature and i want to thank him for looking for us as we move forward to the 35th
legislature of the virgin islands this afternoon is a good afternoon it's an afternoon to say thank yous let's keep the energy
up it's an afternoon to say thank yous and i want to take this opportunity to thank my staff because but for my staff there
would be no me because all of the work that we put in you know it comes from somewhere and there's one lady on my
staff in particular Jamila Russell she just brings it every time and I would I really want to thank you publicly Jamila for
bringing it every time I'm not seeing Kim mrs. mrs. Harrigan mrs.
1:49:08
Harrigan Kim Harrigan but she makes sure that I'm always well put together thank you Kim for always supporting me I'm
making sure that things run that we make it look easy but it's not easy and thank Kayla for all that she does in the research
department and putting all the information out for my social media I want to thank her and the ban a jam man mr. bonad
live hood he just takes care of He takes care of all the things that need to be taken care of in our office. And Ms. Arafi
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Canero. Ms. Arafi, I want to thank you for holding it down for me, for covering it down all the time, every time. I also
want to take this opportunity to say hello to my mom.
I know she's watching. My mom is 90 years old. She made 90 in August of this year. it's a little emotional for me because
my dad is not here um and i know if my dad was here he would be very very proud of me i want to thank my dfg team the
massive team in the u.s virgin islands second to none the dfg team i see dale he just left dale gregory and Pamela Barclay.
Thank you. I thank my sons for being here. I'm a little disappointed that my granddaughter and my grandson isn't here.
1:52:39
One minute, 30 seconds. I thank them for being here. I don't want to miss anybody. I'm going to close by saying this. So,
we know that when you have the makeup of the legislature, of this body, There's a majority and a minority, and that's just
how it works, right? However, what matters is the work that we do for the people. What matters is if you bring good
legislation, I don't care what side of the aisle you're on, you're going to get a thumbs up.
1:53:20
If the legislation is about the people and for the people, you're going to get a thumbs up. 30 seconds. you know it's just
part of the process but it's important that as elected leaders that we work together collaboratively and let's try our best the
things that happen behind the scenes let's keep it behind the scenes and make sure that when we come out on this floor we
represent the people of the virgin islands and that way our people won't have any anxiety they'll know that we are
working for them and we are doing our best for them my commitment is that i will continue to serve the people of the
Virgin Islands they have they have resoundingly re-elected me for a third time and I am committed my Girl Scout out to
continue to do the best that I can time again I'll close by thanking God thank you all and congratulations to all of my
colleagues thank you thank you very much Senator Fred Gregory before we go on to the next senator I just want to take
this opportunity also to mention that we know of the passing of governor Snyder and of course he'll be buried later on this
week as well so we want to certainly pay homage for for his contribution to the Virgin Islands and just looking on onto
our history there we I'm seeing that six of our governors you know and we really need to update now that that history
document you know have passed on. Obviously, we lost Dr. Turnbull as well last year. We also have the father of our
delegate Plaskett, Mr. Leroy Plaskett, who will also be buried tomorrow. So again, we want to keep them and their
families in our prayers. Senator, you recognize for one minute.
1:54:01
Senator Balquez, you recognize for one minute. I appreciate it Mr. President. During my speech I failed to thank two
people that are very important to me and I don't want to get beat when I go home. I would like to thank my grandmother
for always being there for me. I know she's watching and listening right now. And of course former Senator Cleone
Quickie who is my great aunt and my mentor and always guides me in this political landscape. So I wanted to thank them
for all of their help and efforts. Thank you very much Mr. President. Thank you.
1:55:52
Senator Potter, Senator Potter will be chairing the Committee of Disaster, Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning. You're
recognized for your five minutes at this time. Good afternoon. Thank you very much, Mr. President. Good afternoon,
colleagues. Good afternoon. I almost said good afternoon testifiers, but we don't have testifiers here. But good afternoon
to everyone who came here to this event, who saw this as something that was important. I'd really like to thank the
Almighty God, without whom none of this would be possible. I would be remiss if I didn't express gratitude to the 6,000,
6,000 plus Virgin Islanders from the St. Thomas St. John District who intentionally went to the polls on November 8,
2020 to renew my contract. I consider this to be a two-year contract that was just renewed the other day for two more
years. and i do not take your trust for granted i do not um i'd like to thank my wife paulette who's here with me today for
always being here um as i mentioned yesterday she's really my biggest supporter uh thank you for your love your wisdom
your sage counsel it's really something Working in this environment Just giving you a little secret It's not always Calm
and peaceful And you know It's not always that way But it really helps When you can go home And close your door In an
environment that's warm And peaceful And nurturing And I appreciate my family for that Family is everything to me
1:56:25
I want to thank my brothers and sisters, my brother St. Clair, Asbot, Ronald, I have so many I had to write them now,
Everett, my sister Lydia, my sister Patricia, I don't know Patricia is here, she had to leave, thank y'all, they are my biggest
critics and my biggest supporters, you know, you can take criticism when you know criticism is coming from a space that
is in your best interest. And I really love and appreciate them for that. They have my back. I also want to give you a
secret, and that is you're only as good, you're only as effective as a senator as the quality and caliber of the people that
you assemble to be a part of your team, you know? You really can't do it alone. And I want to really express gratitude to
my chief of staff, Mr. Cosmic Christian, who's there in the audience, my chief researcher, Mr. Duane Callwood, Pauline
Dawes, Clinton Stapleton. It's really a four-person crew that packs, I think, a big punch. So thank you very much, guys,
for all that you do. My parents taught us, we have a big family, eight brothers and sisters. because my parents taught us
that service is a noble calling of the highest order. And to be of service to the people of the VI community is a privilege
for me.
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One minute, 30 seconds. Virgin Islands has been really good to me and to my family. To have the opportunity to give
back, I mean, it is just something that I am deeply, deeply appreciative about. And my only motive for being here as a
senator is to solve the people of this territory. My only motive. I intend for the next two years to do my very best. If I get
lemons, I can make lemonade. As I had a discussion with a former senator, a very wise former senator, earlier today. You
make lemonade with lemons. You don't complain. you don't cry you make the best of every situation that you have i want
to thank you all thank you and congratulations mr president and to the team the leadership team of the 35th legislature i
look forward to working with everyone minority majority as i think for a former president said once it is something that is
in the best interest of the people of the virgin islands you can count on me thank you very much everyone for being here
thank you very much senator potter and next we'll hear from senator marisa james who is the chair of education and
workforce development center james you recognize for five minutes thank you mr president and good afternoon to
everyone I had to write my speech because as an attorney you speak until you rest your case and I knew that in this
setting that I'm in this new one that I need to limit my time so I wrote it I want to say good afternoon to everyone and
Happy New Year to all of you and congratulations to my colleagues and I look forward to
2:00:01
working with you. Today is a day to say thank you. First, I thank God from whom all good things flow and for allowing
me to serve the people of the Virgin Islands. I am both humbled and honored that the people of St. Croix have placed
their confidence and faith in me. Thank you to everyone who who supported me and those who honored me with your
vote. It seems like likely we have had a pension for naming only one generation in our conversations while we are a
community of many generations, all valuable to making the Virgin Islands what it is. My campaign team was diverse,
multicultural, and multi-generational. My campaign began with Millennial Joel Mercado challenging me and reigniting
my desire to serve in the public sector. My silent generation member, 78-year-old Marilyn Charles, who some of you
know on the radio as Chihuahua, not silent, but she's from the silent generation, who worked the Central High School poll
in place, while Generation Alpha, Alexa Peter, stood on the bypass corner asking people to vote for me. A special thank
you to the Virgin Islands National Guard members, active and retired, and I say Senesetti Graf, you know who I'm talking
about, because they always have my back, especially those who worked on my campaign. Thank you to Renee Peterson
and the St. Croix District Committee members. Thank you to my aunt, Carlota, and her husband, Bob Moorhead, who
campaigned with me in 1988 when I first ran and were with me again this time. This is only the second time that I ran for
the Senate.
2:01:56
A special shout out to, and some of you weren't even born, sorry. A special shout out to Mariel Rissing, who was also
with me that first time and passed by Anni Lakshendi to cheer me on. Don Bruce, wow. To paraphrase a line from the
Broadway play Hamilton, we project girls know how to get the job done. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I come
to this day with a life experience that is truly rooted in a village. To all of you who knew me and my family in the
Hamilton Jackson and Ralph Disha Bird Project and the Siam Farm Housing Development, I express how proud you are
that Miss Maggie's grandchild is now a senator, thank you. To my sister, Danielle, my niece, Amber, my cousin, Nikki,
who traveled from Georgia to campaign with me on election day, my brother, Angelo, my cousin, Carrie, my aunt, Sadie,
and Tita, and all my family here on St. Croix in the States and abroad, thank you so much for your love and support. I
wanna say a special thank you to Commissioner, who's here with me because she's part of that village.
2:04:04
One minute, 30 seconds. People often notice my Crucian accent, but I fell in love with someone who had a different
accent. My husband, Anthony Paul, my biggest cheerleader, is from the island, the old nation of Trinidad. Thank you.
Life circumstances denied me a father-daughter relationship in my childhood years. But in the last five years of my life,
of his life, my father, Dr. Randall James, and I shared three very special moments. He was the first person who held my
three babies as they came into this world. Camille, Sydney, and Jordan, please stand. Camille is right now in Saipan as a
physician assistant. Jordan is in LA as a film director and producer. And Sidney is here on St. Croix with me, not here on
St. Well, you know what I mean, as at the R.T. Park, one of their big assets. Thank you. With me today, but he left
because of the travel of my brother, Neville.
2:05:16
Sometimes my eyes deceive me, and I think I am seeing my father. Time. For our, oh, since, can I, but I have two you
may wrap up go right ahead okay thank you everybody else in here did it before a couple times so this is my first time
thank you mr president um yes um for all of you who voted for me because i am doc james daughter and senator neville
james sister thank you that's in james all the other james all espinosas thank you because they paid the way for me and i I
am the beneficiary of the goodwill that they have sown in this community. I stand before you with a heritage on my
maternal side that comes from a Danish man, Peta Pedersen, who came to St. Croix, married a Christian woman, Miriam
Kriga, their daughter, Margaret Pedersen, married a Puerto Rican from Culebra, Pedro Espinosa, and their daughter,
Constance Espinosa, was my mother.
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My mother taught me to believe in myself, work hard and instilled in me that education was the path to a better life she
was the one who gave me my campaign mantra my people my island my concern this victory is as much hers as it is mine
i do not have my parents alive with me so those of you who have yours cherish them cherish him. This time I couldn't
have done it without an awesome campaign manager, Sydney Paul, my daughter. And I know this is bittersweet for Glory
V, Christiane Kriger, but she's going to serve as my campaign, not my campaign, my chief of staff. I couldn't have been
more fortunate for glory v uh as i have just two more two more sentence two more okay as far back as i can remember we
had books in our home books expanded my world beyond the 84 square miles of st croix and i i say that today because
we only had two television channels you now have cable tv the internet cell phones so the thing we is that books will
always matter they will and we also need to understand how is it how important it is to know how to read to fulfill your
potential um and so you're never left behind so one of my campaign workers a generation z member tahira duran just
released this children's book it's how anansi how anansi spun madras please pick up one I'm so proud of her and I want to
end by saying to my colleagues I am a team player I play basketball and I served in the military so I know how
2:07:26
success can be achieved by working together so I share with you an African proverb if you want to go fast go alone if you
want to go far go together Let's make the Virgin Islands a place where everyone of all ages can have a better future. May
God bless the Virgin Islands and thank you for the indulgence, Mr. President. So I'll tell you, Senator, that in all fairness,
no way I have to give everybody an additional 10 minutes.
2:09:24
minutes. Be careful what you ask for, all right? Just know that, all right? So that's all part of the process, right? Quickly,
before we go to Senator Fonseca, Senator Frank Gregory, you had an alibi? Thank you, Senator. I do have an alibi. I
would be remiss if I did not recognize a lady that I consider as my second mom, Ms. Ala Monsanto. Thank you for being
here with me i really appreciate you being here that's my advisor always dummy thank you thank you very much senator
fonseca who will be the chair of health hospital and human services you recognize for your five minutes yes pleasant
good afternoon to all the listening and viewing audience i'm your freshman rookie senator ray fonseca first of all i'd like
to give all the thanks and praises to god almighty um he is good all the time i want to recognize some special um guests
in the audience i have um i'll start with my brother charles fonseca he's a fbi agent retired in the back charles welcome he
lives in detroit he's here with us and uh my brother dr alan fonseca he's an orthopedic surgeon and his daughters alia i
mean arlene and angel and next to him we have um vanessa greenway our campaign expert here she'll be with my staff in
the legislature we have janet we have govin we have ariel i want to give special thanks to miss esme lorraine carlwood
please stand up miss esme she's my cousin um esme and of course lorna thomas and also etlin joseph i want to give
special thanks to also um edgar baker phillips I want to give thanks to Eric and Arta and Nita and the whole posse. I
know I forgot some, so Bulky, I might need to come back with a few of them. I want to recognize my son, Mario
Fonseca. He's 14 years old. And Dr. Alia Fonseca, she'll be on our staff also. She's the daughter of my brother, Alan
Fonseca. He has all girls. I have all boys. So I guess we're all blessed. I also want to give special thanks to the Tuatola
delegation that was here because you know I am the grandson of Glanville Fonseca who ran undefeated for six terms in
the BVI and as a matter of fact there's a bust and a plaque dedicated to him and this Castro there's a holiday for the
British Virgin Islands for my ancestors. You know I am very grateful to the community for entrusting me with your vote
of
2:10:04
confidence. Rest assured I take your vote of confidence in me very seriously. I will continue to advocate for all of the
pressing issues that we have in the community and i am so honored to be in the legislature you know i with maurice
james i got to tell you this story um we go way way back maurice james didn't mention to you she used to be the queen of
the virgin islands and i was her escort we go way way back yes yes so um you know bless it all my colleagues here you
know i'm so excited i think the people of the virgin islands has elected very very capable representatives madame
president donna fred gregory i i must acknowledge she did a brilliant job as the senate president um i'm so happy to be
within this 35th legislature uh senator gittins here also is my cousin and of course the senate president um very very close
friend of mine one minute 30 seconds alma francis heiliger her husband pudgy i think pudgy were backing me well he He
was back in you, but then he was back in me. And thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. Blesses to
everyone and thank you very much for your indulgence.
2:13:21
Thank you. Thank you very much, Senator Fonseca. Welcome aboard. Next, we'll be going to Senator Diane Capehart,
who will be chairing the Committee of Rules and Judiciary. And we are getting closer to the end. I promise you, if
anyone needs to eat, please feel free to step out. I don't want to deny you of being able to get something to eat, but we just
got a few more to go. Senator Capehart, you're recognized for your five minutes. Thank you, Mr. President, and good
afternoon all. I want to say congratulations to my colleagues who will be serving in the 35th legislature. Eight years ago,
I sat right here and I said to Senator Fonseca, I hope you know you is my my left hand walk husband. No, I'm gonna be
feeding you food. Senator Myron Jackson, it was an honor serving with you also. Want to recognize you. But today is a
day that I am elated. I am so humbled to the people of St. Croix for giving me this opportunity again to be your public
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servant. This means a lot to me.
And in this position, we have been placed to work hard for the people of the Virgin Islands because they believe in us,
they trusted us, and they gave us their vote to represent them. So we have a lot of work to do, my colleagues. It may take
a long time for me to say thank you to all who supported me, but I have to give special thanks and praise to the Most
High first. I kept him every day in my life, before the campaign, after the campaign. And without him, I couldn't be here,
I couldn't have that strength, that guidance and protection. So, I give thanks. To my parents, Charles and Charmaine
Capehart.
2:16:26
I think Charlie, get hungry and he say, you know, Faris. My mom, she's a trooper. Charmaine, my brother, Charles, he
jumped on a boat this morning. He said the seas was rough and he came and he's going back on the three o'clock boat. I
appreciate you. He lives in Atlanta. I'm dealing with my immediate family first. My oldest daughter, Somalia. I
appreciate you making that extra travel to St. Thomas. She leaves tomorrow to go to Loudoun, Virginia.
2:17:17
And she also has my grandchildren downstairs who they're belly full by now and they I'm sure ain't worrying about
what's happening up here, Maurice and Avaline. And my son-in-law who's also here, Calvin Warner. My older sister, my
eldest sister, Jerry. I appreciate you and thank you for making that trip here also. In the halls here we have some
campaign workers that I have to give special thanks. I want you to stand up when I call you.
2:18:02
Sponji, Barry O'Reilly. You are my soldier, I thank you. He was in my campaign in the 30th and he's still with me. Thank
you for your loyalty. Barton Peterson, please stand. My advisor, my alarm clock in the morning. You still sleeping? This
is my grandfather's stepson and for those who doesn't know, Bautan has always been like an uncle to me, and I love you
and I appreciate you. Thank you for always having my back. Cynthia Challenger, who's amongst me, she's my staffer
now, worked hard on my campaign.
2:18:40
I appreciate you, thank you. My friend Norma Herman, who's not here today, but her daughter Tichelle is here
representing. Thank you. And I see of the best for last. Joy Alekisha Peterson-Bennerson, a seditin St. Thomas yesterday
that you rock. Please stand. This lady here, nobody knew we had this agreement. She said, Diane, you need to run again. I
said, Joy, me going in a legislature unless you come in with me or no? 30 seconds.
2:19:33
So we ran a campaign, and we are here. But to my colleagues, I just want to say this. My colleagues, I seek a spirit of
cooperation in the name of public service to work on the behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands, and a spirit of
transcending partisanship partisanship between this body and the executive branch. We all know this work, we have to
work closely with the executive branch.
2:20:11
So I vow to work together on common ground in the philosophy of workable solutions to complex issues. In this body's
solemn obligation, I just wanna say we got a lot of work to do. Time. If I may, Mr. President, I just remembered that
there were some individuals I also need to recognize that it could not have been possible without them. Tony Laurencin,
who gave me the opportunity to have a base for headquarters. All the years I ran, I never had a headquarters, and that way
I had a headquarters for people, my constituents, that they knew where they could find me. Thank you. to Judy and
Carlos who gave me the opportunity to hold my food sales at your restaurants, rehab, sports bar, I appreciate you guys.
And if you know me, I want to say all the 99 people I had here, I can't call everybody. But I appreciate you on my team.
Just know that I am a humble servant and I am going to work hard on your behalf to serve the people of the Virgin
Islands, but particularly the people of St. Croix.
2:20:46
Love are you, thank you for this opportunity. Thank you very much, Senator Capehart, and welcome back. Look forward
to working with you. Next, we'll hear from our Majority Leader, Senator Kenneth L. Gittins, as well as the Chair of
Homeland Security, Public Safety, and Justice. Senator Gittins, you recognize for your five minutes. Thank you, and
good afternoon to all. just a closer walk with Thee. Granted, Jesus is my plea. Daily walking close to Thee, let it be, dear
Lord, let it be. And as I say that, you know, Look how Senator Kepa almost make me ball in here today.
2:22:01
Not because I was supposed to be the 38th legislature husband who fed her, but because she was able, as some others
were able, to recognize their living mom and living dad. And I want to echo the sentiments of Senator James, Maurice
James, that if you have your parents with you, please cherish them. And if you ain't right with them, get it right, because
we want snowballing. I feel the spirit of my mom right in these chambers today and I'm going to hold it down because I
promised myself that I'm going to hold it down and she's with me and as I ask him to continue to guide me gently and
safely I say a warm welcome to each and every one of you to the people's house and like the pastor said earlier in the
garden there gonna be some what is it that vigorous and robust debates in these halls but one thing i'm gonna tell all of
you colleagues regardless of what side of the fence we're on we're gonna to be respectful to each other. And that's all that
I ask as well. I want to welcome our new colleagues to the legislature this afternoon.
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I look forward to working with each and every one of you as I've always done over the years. However, this term I'm
renewing my commitment to ensuring that St. Croix too gets its fair attention. I always say that I truly believe that I am
well-rounded in these chambers as a Virgin Islander with a mother born and St. Thomas a father born and St. Croix a
grandfather in the British Virgin Islands And so, when I do my comparisons, it's not because of jealousy. It's because we
want parity across these islands.
2:24:50
And as I spent some time here for late sessions, thank you, Madam President, because we work hard. But this place, as I
saw it, even at night and whatnot, and whatnot, how the waterfront all up to the, what do you call it, the promenade and
whatnot, how well lit and nicely done. I mean, listen, we could do the same on St. Croix. So we just want to see that
parity. And I will be the first one to hold agency heads, hand to the fire. Because whether we're on St. Croix, whether
we're on St. Thomas, we want to see it done in both districts.
2:25:41
One minute. Already? I want to thank all our campaign workers and especially my staff, Nicole, Fiona, Arita, Miss
Bailey. I want to thank all of you. That's a big staff, eh? But them four alone carried me. This afternoon I want to also
recognize Miss Louise Hansen, my eldest campaign worker. And thank you. Put your hands together for her please,
because yes, she's right here. She said she wanted to be here and she's here. Now Mrs. Hansen was very concerned when i
pull number 20 to be on the ballot she ring my phone she was very concerned i tell her calm down it's gonna be all right
she start praying with me i said listen they always said the last shall be first you know it turned out that way but this is a
voice you heard on the radio saying although there are plenty vote number 20 i said what thank you time And the time,
Carl, I don't even want to. Thank you. Yes, my daughter, Shanette. Known in the social media world and the
entertainment world as DJ Jashanti. And my daughter, who is viewing, unable to be here with us as she's making a
presentation.
2:26:28
for the big business she's with on the mainland, Shante, and my granddaughter, Zion. I wish you all were here, but love
you, I understand. I also have a henchman, Mr. Charles James, known as Charlo. Stand up, let him see you. You ain't
delivering mail today. but you're delivered you're delivered for this campaign thank you mr. Charles James and his lovely
wife next to him who always keep me spiritually on my feet and telling me what you eat leave it up to she'll be my girl I
want to recognize my aunt Doreen in the chambers And let me just close out by recognizing also my, I have some other
family members here. Tennyson, you here? Stand up man, you're making half of them drunk already.
2:28:20
This was the number one bartender on St. Thomas, his lovely wife, next to him Irene, his lovely daughter, Charlene.
Thank you for being here. I got so much family, I must just say to the Gittins family and St. Croix, the Armstrong, the
Messers, the Browse, the Christian family, and St. Thomas slash BVI, the Freeman, Turnbull, Blyden, Hodge, Lebron,
Roberts. Listen, I could go down the line, but I can't call everybody, but love you all. Looking forward to working with
my colleagues in this 35th legislature and delivering for you the people of the virgin islands thank you love you all thank
you very much mr majority leader senator gittens and next we'll come to the madam secretary senator carla j joseph you
recognize your five minutes and you'll be the chair of the committee of government operation consumer protection and
veterans of fear thank you so much mr president warm good afternoon to everyone This is the day that the Lord has
made, and we will rejoice and be glad in it. I come to you this afternoon giving the most high, all-powerful God every
thanks and praise for this opportunity to serve as your senator for a second term. Thank you to the voters of the Virgin
Islands for your vote of confidence to continue to work and continue the work that I started in the 34th legislature. I gave
my profound thanks to my family, especially my grandmother, Mrs. Doris Joseph Industrious, who, although bedridden, I
tell you that lady has a strong spirit of God, Use her phone to campaign for me. And a special word of thanks and
appreciation to my two daughters who are not here and present with me today, Denitra Francis and Deetra Gabriel, as
also my granddaughter, Jaden Remy.
2:29:30
And I would like to say a special thanks to my daughter who is here and who stands behind of me, beside me, in front of
me, below me, Delika Colwood, for being the tireless person that she is and the treasurer for my campaign committee. An
extra special thank you to my big brother, I call him Big C. Carl, I'm named after him, he's the eldest of my mother's
children and I'm the youngest, and I always say she loved him more than she loved me. I, Carl, stand for providing a calm
and rational voice, and my other brother who is not present, had to go work at the virgin islands waste management
authority today but he called to give me well wishes his name is desmond we call him shakazulu okay so as well as my
nieces shamaya anubia denia and my nephew azariah for your love and support i would be remiss if i didn't express my
thanks to my sister, I call her little D, Dolores Joseph Brooks. Kindly stand up.
2:32:13
Although she lives in Georgia, she unleashed her mother, my stepmother, Ira Herman. Stand up in the back to cover
campaign grounds and areas that my team and I were unable to reach. Huge thank you to a lady who is sitting here very
humbly. Miss Ruth Leonard. Lord have mercy in 2018. Going with me all over the place. People thought that she was my
mother. My mother had already passed in 2017. god rest her soul in peace and people used to sit see her on the side of the
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road giving out things they thought she needed a ride to go someplace they stopping to give her a ride and she said no i'm
just handing out these so i really want to say thank you so much and she gives excellent wise counsel that's why i keep
her around and i talk to her you see when human beings have those gray hairs i hide mine so i'll just let her you know that
one minute I hide those gray hairs. When you have those gray hairs, you count on those human beings to please, to give
you those. I know the time is running, but I have some other human beings I would like to thank. Okay. Also, I want to
thank my Joseph Action Committee, led by, first it was led by Angel Wang Yi Turnbull. You know, I had to go to Tatola
to get a good campaign manager, and then Wang Yi wasn't able to carry out for the second try. So I went right back to the
same place, Tartola, and I went to Bovoni, and I also got somebody, Bovoni is where I grew up, got somebody from
there, and his name is Elston Rymer Jr. Ajabi.
jabby stand up that's my campaign manager there and he is definitely my left hand i also want to give thanks to my
committee secretary she isn't here she had to go back to work um miss lydia griffith miss mulinar actually miss lydia
mulinar griffith for her unwavering commitment and endorsement time mr president you may wrap up oh lord okay i i
really want to also thank my church family my prayer partner heather hopkins we pray almost every day i also want to
really thank my colleagues as well i i want to close out um basically to say today is a new day. It's a new beginning. Let
us consider the African proverb that says, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for today. Let us be people to
prepare tomorrow for today. Our time of service in the 35th legislature has begun. Let us be thoughtful, progressive
creative and strategic as we work cohesively you know cohesive you can't break it up you know when you have a
cohesive bond to address the issues before us and plan for our territories future let us work together thank you so much
mr. president for the time may God bless us all and may God God bless the people and our beautiful Virgin Islands.
2:35:28
Thank you kindly. Thank you. Just quickly colleagues, I know that we have four alibis that's waiting and please again, we
gotta be mindful that individuals, it's been a long day and I wanna make sure that individuals get something to eat so if
you could be real quick and concise. Thank you, Mr. President for your privilege. I forgot, I had two children that I
needed to mention. Safiya and Shari, who are not here. I wanna say thank you for your support, always supporting me,
even living in Loudoun. I have campaigned people who are also my number one soldiers. Dwight King, Kevesh George,
Tiffany Acosta, Cherry, Steve Alexander, my Aunt Phyllis Charles, who's unable to be here, and Hezekiah Maddox, who
lives here in Savant, who I know, you're listening. And thank you all for your support.
2:37:15
Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. Well, quickly. Senator Fonseca, you're recognized. Yes, thank you, Mr. President. I don't
know how in the world I did this, but I wanted to say thank you to my staff, Delvin Duggins, Maleni, and Le Kishon. But
most important, Ms. Wade, she came all the way over from St. Croix. She said, Fonseca, you're running, you ain't
running, You're walking, you're crawling. I'm going to get you to win. Thank you, Miss Wayne. She's a crucial St.
Tomion. Thank you. Thank you. Senator Kittens, your alibi. Thank you for this quick alibi.
2:38:10
Before I get keen, when I go back to St. Croix, I neglected to recognize my sister, Yvette, who is unable to physically be
here with us today. I love you. And my adopted sister, Beatrice Benjamin Gomes, a big social media campaign worker.
And my St. Thomas side, my mom told these two ladies to take care of me before she went down. Ira Homan. So I had to
mention those two as adopted sisters, but thank you, Madam Secretary. Thank you very much, Senator Gittins.
2:38:47
Senator James, you recognize? Yes, my point of personal privilege is just to correct the record. I just received a text from
a member of the governor's cabinet member. I mentioned about the state of the territory. And without going in further
details, the governor is not feeling too well, and that's the reason why he's not here, so I just wanna correct the record. So
get well soon, Governor Brian. Thank you very much, Senator James. Senator Joseph, quickly.
2:39:20
No, I thank you so much, Mr. President. I neglected to mention and thank my staff. I have a very youthful staff. They are,
the eldest is probably, well, the youngest is 20 years old, and the eldest is, what, 54, thereabout. But we have a young
staff, and I really want to thank them for bringing the energy as well. We are like the energizer bunny in my office. We
keep going, and we don't quit. Thank you kindly, Mr. Chairman. Thank you very much.
2:39:51
Mr. President. Next, we'll recognize the Senate Vice President, Senator Marvin Blyden, who is also the Chair of the
Housing. the committee of housing transportation and telecommunication you recognize for your five minutes thank you
so much mr president good afternoon to my colleagues staff central staff family friends and the many virgin islanders
that's viewing via the internet i would last I would like to first begin by giving thanks and praise to the Almighty because
without him, nothing is possible and with him, everything is possible. And I must say that through the good and bad
times, through my trials and tribulation, it is in his faith, in his faith that I stayed and that's what guides me on a daily
basis. he guides my step and strengthen me I would also like to give thanks to my family my friends my staff who have
been with me every step of the way and of course I want to give time and a heartfelt thank you to my supporters and the
people of this territory who have given me that their support over and over again and put the trust and vote of confidence
in me to serve in this August body but before I go any further I want to give special thanks to my beautiful wife
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Jacqueline Blighton of 32 years for her support that's my rock my biggest critic my biggest supporter also I want to give
thanks to the dream team I call them the dream team because when many counted me out they had my back 150%
starting my chief of staff machinery thank you for your unwavering support. My main man back there, Mr. Booty
Krieger. Thank you so much for always being there. We have Mr. Langley Sazar. We have on my dream team many,
many supporters. Many too many to mention, but I'll mention a few. From the Loveland community, we have Carmella
Hughes. From Content Nose, we have Shireen and her crew, and many others my sisters they have been there with me
throughout thick and thin sandra fret
lavan matthews barbara nibs i love you guys you are my rock miss harris from harris court she was there as you saw her
with my t-shirt today she's my fifth mom i have so many moms but nonetheless um i want to thank them and finally and
most importantly my brother from another mother dennis alphonse that's my guy right there thank you so much dennis for
everything you continue to do. I also want to thank Mr. Connero for being there for me. Thank you for being here, and
also one of my little, I must say, trainee. Mr. Conners, thank you for being here. Okay, I look forward for you joining us
in the future. Let me continue by stating that I believe as we are confronted with the awesome task of governing in this
special body, we are at a critical juncture in our history, and I do not take it lightly. I believe that as an institution and as a
society, we are at a crossroad in our history in which we have choices to make.
2:42:48
today moving forward which shape our destiny in years to come as a society another body we are faced with a variety of
challenges at the same time that we stand on a brink of breathtaking opportunities to significantly improve the way we
live the way we work and the way we relate to each other and the wider world. I believe with the influx of the billions of
federal dollars that are pouring into our coffers and the reconstruction and redevelopment of many of our infrastructure,
for the first time in many years we have a chance to transform our societies when it our society when it comes to
electrical production and distribution of course affordable housing 30 seconds telecommunications and transportation
infrastructure at the same time however challenges in developing and retaining a competitive workforce in affordable
healthcare and housing and in public safety to name a few threatens not only our progress but threatens the fabric of the
Virgin Islands society as we know it moreover we live in a time when democratic institutions are increasingly threatened
and on attack within the last year the two most populous democratic democracies in the Western Hemisphere have
experienced the
2:44:03
trauma of having a seat of government assaulted by supporters of a defeated ideology. We have also witnessed other acts
which brazenly defy and seek to overturn the rules of the road that have governed conduct in the international arena. Mr.
President, to wrap up, I would just like to say simply put, these are serious times. We have come to a point where we
have to make a choice.
2:45:49
We can either rise to the challenge and work seriously and collectively, in which case we can rise to higher heights than
the Virgin Islanders who have been here before and achieve many, many, many accomplishments in the future, or we can
choose to be complacent or to engage in bickering and political in fighting, in which case, we can and will descend to a
place even lower than when former President Hubert Hoover mentioned this, that we are in a poor house during the midst
of the Great Depression. And I honestly do not want to hear that type of lyrics from anyone moving forward. We have an
opportunity of a lifetime, and we must seize on it and take advantage I work collectively on behalf of the people of Virgin
Islands.
2:46:20
Thank you so much, Mr. President, for the time. Oh, one more thing, Mr. President, that my wife reminded me of, and
she is so correct. My mother-in-law, Marie-Maudette, she's home and a mom, she's ALT, 90 years of age, but she has
been my biggest supporter, and also my two sons, Kadeem, Khalid, and Latisha. Thank you so much. You're welcome,
you're welcome. Thank you very much. Madam, time keeping up before you put the time on the clock for me, I wanted to
ask executive director um to step in because we have an amazing we have an amazing central staff team that continue to
do the work behind the scene all of the activity venues all of the work that been done here the grounds look um again so
so beautiful and they have immaculate and they have done tremendous work in preparation for today's activity and for the
last two years they have really worked well on our behalf i wanted to recognize the executive director please come
forward kerel sheridan esq and all of our amazing amazing central staff employees thank you very much from the bottom
of our hearts for the work that you have done for all 15 members of this body we appreciate you and your staff senator
jansen you had a alibi please recognize the mic of senator johnson thank you so much mr president i don't know how i
could go on so far and not talk about one of the strongest guys that work with me and one of the biggest mr randall chuck
knight people call him chuck i call him suge knight because he's one of the person that really backed me in st croix from
the west he from the east and my grandchildren then happens to be his grandchildren too. So that's an amazing task we
have there. I also have Mr. Buddha Singh who led my campaign in prayer. I thank him for that. And at Baltimore and the
entire family, these ladies come out and really push. They call me, I say, when are we going? So I want to thank those
2:47:11
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people. It would be wrong for me to not mention them.
I really thank you very much, Mr. President. Thank you very much. Thank you very much, Senator. Joseph, you want to
use my time? you recognize thank you I forgot to recognize my godson here who is an attorney Shane Smith kindly stand
I helped raise him so I call him my son and I was so common William she stepped out she was dressed immaculately she
helped me a lot on my campaign thank you so much mr. president thank you very much so this is presidency by
indoctrination and today I've been rather lenient with time because of course it's a special day but we also have to be
cognizant mindful that we have people that that has been here since some of us 8 o'clock and some certainly at 10 I want
to take this opportunity once again to recognize my wife and thank her and for her support I continue to love her I want I
recognize my children, of course, as well as my brothers and sisters, my brother Donald Buddha Francis, Lucy and
Peterson, my sister Joyce Lynn, and all of those individuals that continue to support and dedicate, dedicated to the work
that we're doing here in this community.
2:49:19
I have a blessed assurance because I lost my mother and father several years ago and they went on. You know, my
mother has been quite some time, but she has always been that angel on my shoulder. She has not been able to see many
of the successes that I've had, and she passed away in 1988. And truly, you know, I've had many successes. I spent 25
years in the Virgin Islands Police Department, working my way up from police officer all the way, and retired as a police
commissioner. And certainly, I have been elected five continuous time by the people of the Virgin Islands, in particular,
St. Croix District.
2:50:39
And I really wanna take this opportunity to thank them. And I know that that's, again, those angels, my mother and father,
continue to be at my shoulder and look over me. I don't pray for victory. I pray for whatever his God will, so let it be.
And, you know, fortunately, he has given me victory, but I'm very much satisfied with whatever. whatever that decision
is made. I want to recognize my sister-in-law, Cheryl.
2:51:17
I want to thank you for being here as well as supporting. I have a very small but committed staff. Shawna Richards, my
chief of staff, that have been with me for four terms. For the 31st, 32nd, 33rd, and 34th, and certainly now in the 35th
legislature, Shawna Richards. Thank you, Shawna gets a call, I feel the brunt of it. Two, three o'clock, you know,
certainly when I need to reach out to her, she's the one to make it happen.
2:51:52
As well as Sherry Carty, who works over here in the St. Thomas district, and serve as my coordinator. I have a young
man that's working my office, Kevin Allen. Thank you again for the work that you make. And I have a contract
employee, Mr. Laurent T.P. Alfred, as well that, again, works on my behalf. I wanna thank my campaign committee for
all the work that they're doing here today, and just really thank the people of the Verzans, and thank my colleagues.
Thank my colleagues, for one, selected me to be the Senate President of the 35th Legislature, and to thank my colleagues
for their pledge of support as we move forward. There'll be good days.
2:52:27
There will be bad days and there will be not so good days. But at the end of the day, I intend to remain focused. Focus on
the big picture. As a public servant for close to 40 years, I pride myself on not being easily angered because I believe that
it's truly easier to get angered than to have self-control. So I'm the bigger person that I always maintain self-control, and
sometimes that's taken out of context.
2:53:12
They may consider you soft because you're self-controlled. But I believe you're the bigger person because I have a bigger
goal in mind. I've been put here for a reason. I've been successful for that reason. And again, I intend to maintain that
control all the time. So, colleagues, I look forward, I look forward to working with each and every one of you, and
believe me, I know how to get firm and tough when I need to get. But at the same time, I believe that reasonableness,
fairness, is leadership qualities that I've attained over the number of years and all of the leadership positions I've held to
maintain this institution and move it forward. Thank you very much again for selecting me to be your next, or to be your
Senate President, and I look forward to our work here in moving this territory forward, working along with the Executive
Branch, the Legislative Branch, and the Judicial Branch, working in consort, exhorting our oversight responsibility, and
again, also working with the Delegate to Congress to move our issues forward thank you very much for being here thank
you very much for your support for all of us and today's a great day i don't want to cuss in i don't want your calendar
radio station next week when you don't get what you want senator kittens you recognize for your motion at this time
thank you mr president mr president and colleagues i move that today's session be recessed until monday january 23rd
2023 in order for the governor to deliver his state of the territory address pursuant to the revised organic act of 1954 i so
move motion properly made by
2:53:47
Senator Gittins. It seems like it was seconded by everyone. Hearing no objection, so ordered. The reorganization or the
organization of the 35th legislature of the Virgin Islands on this day, January 9th, 2023, will be in recess until January
23rd, 2023. God bless and keep us. Amen.
2:55:58
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Amen. Thank you.
2:56:58
Thank you. Thank you.
2:57:58
Thank you. Thank you.
2:58:58
People named in this transcript
SUSPECTED, and a finding aid only. Names were matched by machine against the spellings used across all 426 of our transcripts, and the
title is the one used in the room. Being named here is NOT evidence that a person attended or spoke · only that the name was said. Speech
recognition mishears names, so a spelling may be wrong even where no alternative is offered.
23x
Senator Kenneth L. Gittens
heard in this transcript as: Gittin, Gittins, Kenneth L. Gettins, Kenneth L. Gittins
19x
Senator Marise C. James
the surname alone also matches: Javan James; Giovanni James Sr
heard in this transcript as: James, James Sr, James Sr., Maurice C. James, Maurice D. James, Maurice James
15x
Senator Ray Fonseca
heard in this transcript as: Alia Fonseca, Fonseca
14x
Senator Carla Joseph
the surname alone also matches: Clifford Joseph; Karla J. Joseph
heard in this transcript as: Carl J. Joseph, Carla J. Joseph, Joseph
14x
Senator Marvin Blyden
heard in this transcript as: Blyden, Blyton, Marvin A. Blyden, Marvin A. Blyton
12x
Senator Dwayne DeGraff
heard in this transcript as: DeGraff, Dwayne M. DeGraff
12x
Senator Milton E. Potter
heard in this transcript as: Milton Potter, Potter
11x
Senator Alma Francis-Heyliger
heard in this transcript as: Alma Francis Heiliger, Francis Heiliger
11x
Senator Diane T. Capeheart
heard in this transcript as: Capehart, Diane Capehart, Diane T. Capehart
11x
Senator Novelle Francis
heard in this transcript as: Francis Jr, Francis Jr., Novell E. Francis Jr, Novell E. Francis Jr.
11x
Senator Samuel Carrion
heard in this transcript as: Carrion
10x
Senator Franklin D. Johnson
heard in this transcript as: Johnson
8x
Senator Angel L. Bocas Jr
heard in this transcript as: Angel L. Bocas Jr., Anghel L. Bocas Jr., Bocas Jr.
7x
Senator Fred Gregory
the surname alone also matches: Donna A. Frett-Gregory; Donna Frett-Gregory
6x
Senator Donna A. Frett-Gregory
heard in this transcript as: Donna A. Fred Gregory, Donna Fred Gregory
6x
Senator Javan James
heard in this transcript as: Javan E. James Sr, Javon E. James Sr, Javon E. James Sr., Jovan James
5x
Senator Angel L. Bolques, Jr.
heard in this transcript as: Angel L. Bolques Jr., Balquez, Bolquez
4x
Senator Angel L. Bokes Jr
heard in this transcript as: Angel L. Bokes Jr., Bokes Jr.
4x
Senator Myron Jackson
3x
Senator Donna Frett-Gregory
heard in this transcript as: Dona Fred Gregory's, Donna A. Frett-Gregory
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2x
Governor Albert Bryan Jr
heard in this transcript as: Brian
2x
Senator Angel L. Bolkis Jr
2x
Senator Diane T. K. Park
heard in this transcript as: Dianne T. K. Park
2x
Senator Frank Gregory
the surname alone also matches: Donna A. Frett-Gregory; Donna Frett-Gregory
2x
Senator Giovanni James Sr
the surname alone also matches: Javan James; Marise C. James; Neville James
heard in this transcript as: Gervon James
2x
Senator James Senior
2x
Senator Javon E. James Senior
2x
Senator Kaye Part
heard in this transcript as: K. Park
2x
Senator Neville James
2x
Dr. Randall James
the surname alone also matches: Javan James; Marise C. James; Neville James
2x
Senator Samuel Carillon
heard in this transcript as: Carillon
Bills and acts referred to
Matched by number against our own acts corpus. The number is what the recognition heard, so it may be wrong; where it resolved, the title is the one
the Legislature gave the act.
Referred to but not found in our acts corpus: Bill 35-0001, Bill 34-0001
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