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October 31, 2007
deJongh proclaims "D. Hamilton Jackson Day" in the Virgin Islands; Urges residents to join in "Bull and Bread Day" observance Gov. John deJongh, Jr. has proclaimed Thursday, November 1, as "D. Hamilton Jackson Day" in the Virgin Islands. Jackson is remembered as a labor leader, politician, educator, lawyer, newspaper editor, judge, banker, statesman and community activist. In a proclamation, deJongh described Jackson as a powerful labor leader known for his concern and love for his community, and especially for his fight against injustice and inequality. "D. Hamilton Jackson established the first labor union in 1915 to improve wages and working conditions of the people of the Danish West Indies and later traveled to Denmark where he was successful in having the Danish Government revoke the royal edict prohibiting privately owned newspapers." deJongh also described Jackson as a champion of freedom of the press, as he established the first privately-owned newspaper, "The Herald", serving as its owner and editor. deJongh said D. Hamilton Jackson "felt the suffering of the people and through the power of the press was able to bring about social and economic change to better the lives of residents of the territory." "D. Hamilton Jackson, while serving as judge under the U.S. Naval Administration, was instrumental in the formulation of the Organic Act of 1936, guaranteeing civil liberties, which later became the foundation upon which our currently Revised Organic Act of 1954, as amended, is based. Noting that D. Hamilton Jackson’s invaluable contributions have greatly enriched the territory and the lives of many Virgin Islanders, deJongh Wednesday called upon the people, civic, and other community organizations of the Virgin Islands, to join with him in this observance and pay tribute to David Hamilton Jackson for his outstanding and distinguished public service, and his contributions to the advancement of the press and self-government that we all enjoy today. |
