Governor and Lt. Governor of the United States Virgin Islands

1/30/08 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. convened the second Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) meeting of his Administration Monday. Comprised of public, non-profit, and private sector leaders from throughout the Virgin Islands, committee members were appointed by Governor deJongh to address the creation of an action plan to facilitate economic growth in the territory.

Governor orders flags to be flown at half-staff Friday and Saturday; St. Croix police honor honored

1/29/08 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. has directed that flags on all public buildings in the territory be flown at half-staff Friday and Saturday in honor of former St. Croix Police Officer Akeem Newton who died in a head-on vehicle collision while on duty.

Gov. deJongh: Economic Stimulus Bill passes U.S. House; bill could mean $30 million in federal funds to the V.I. Economy

1/29/08 - The U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday passed, by an overwhelming margin, a bipartisan national economic stimulus plan which fully includes the Virgin Islands and reimburses the local government for its cost, according to Gov. John P. deJongh Jr. The bill, once enacted into law, is expected to pump over $30 million of federal funds into the local economy.

DOH to commemorate National Children Dental Health Month

1/29/08 - Gov. John P. de Jongh Jr. will join Health Commissioner Vivian I. Ebbesen-Fludd to kick off activities commemorating National Children Dental Health Month at a 10 a.m. open-house on February 4, 2008, at the Charles Harwood Medical Complex.

deJongh nominates Donald Sussman to the UVI Board of Trustees

1/29/08 - Gov. John P. deJongh Jr. has nominated St. John resident, S. Donald Sussman, to a five –year term on the Board of Trustees of the University of the Virgin Islands.

deJongh said he was pleased that Sussman accepted the offer to serve on the UVI Board. "His professional experience and his dedication to service and philanthropy in the Virgin Islands make him the right candidate to fill the vacant position on the University’s Board of Trustees."

deJongh: Progress being made on stimulus talks

1/26/08 - Gov. John P. deJongh Jr. said Saturday that "progress was being made" on the effort to include the Virgin Islands in the economic stimulus bill now being crafted by Congressional negotiators and the Bush Administration.

"There is now agreement in principle that special rules are required to ensure that the Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories are treated fairly under the stimulus bill and are not left out or unintentionally hurt by it because of the operation of our mirror income
tax system," deJongh said.

V.I. Finance Authority Board of Directors Meeting scheduled for Jan. 30

1/25/08 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. will convene a meeting of the Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority Board of Directors on Wednesday, January 30, 2008, at 9:00a.m. The meeting will be held at Government House, No. 21-22 Kongen’s Gade, St. Thomas, V.I.

Government Access channels to feature 2008 State of the Territory Address and post-speech media discussions

1/25/08 - The two Government Access cable channels will next week feature a re-broadcast of the 2008 State of the Territory Address and a number of post-speech media discussions that have been held with various members of the Governor’s Cabinet. The programs will air at 7:30 pm and repeated 10 pm nightly.

First Lady campaigns for Barack Obama; Shares her experiences from the campaign trail with the Territory

1/24/08 - With less than a week before the state’s upcoming Democratic Primary Election, First Lady Cecile deJongh, along with her daughter, Rene, and local, civic leader, Julie Cassinelli travelled to South Carolina to campaign on behalf of Senator Barack Obama for President.

Governor praises agreement on economic stimulus package; Urges inclusion of Virgin Islands in federal tax rebate program

1/24/08 - Gov. John P. deJongh Jr. Thursday praised the agreement reached in principle between Congressional negotiators and the Secretary of the Treasury on an economic stimulus package to jump-start the American economy. deJongh cautioned, however, that more details on the package must still be worked out so that the Virgin Islands economy fully shares in the stimulus bill and is not unintentionally disadvantaged by it.

Governor proclaims Catholic Schools week in the United States Virgin Islands

1/24/08 - Gov. deJongh has proclaimed the week of January 27, through February 1, 2008 as Catholic Schools Week in the territory, in appreciation of the efforts and contributions of Catholic schools in the United States Virgin Islands, and in accordance with the national celebration taking place across the U.S. mainland and its territories. This year’s theme is "Catholic Schools Light the Way."

Governor, Lt. Governor to go over options after failed Senate vote on real property tax bill

1/23/08 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. will meet with Lt. Governor Gregory R. Francis on Thursday morning to determine available options as regards real property taxes given the failure of the 27th Legislature to pass the proposed real property tax bill during its session Wednesday. The tax bill failed on a 7-7 vote.

Governor to deliver State of Territory Address Tuesday night; Speech to focus on first year in office and look ahead to second-year initiatives and objectives

1/21/08 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. will deliver his second State of the Territory Address to the people of the Virgin Islands on Tuesday, January 22. The speech, which will be delivered before a formal session of the 27th Legislature, will begin at 7 p.m.

In his address, deJongh will provide an accounting of his first year in office as Chief Executive and will unveil a number of second-year initiatives which affect the daily lives of all Virgin Islanders, according to Government House Communications Director Jean P. Greaux, Jr.