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March 10, 2008
GOVERNOR DEJONGH CONGRATULATES V.I. SUPREME COURT JUSTICES MARIA CABRET AND IVE A. SWAN Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. has extended congratulations to V.I. Supreme Court Justices Maria Cabret and Ive Arlington Swan on the occasion of their being honored by Howard University with the "Distinguished Alumni Award" in the field of law. The two justices were honored at a gala reception Saturday night in Washington, D.C. during the university’s Charter Day celebration. DeJongh’s message of congratulations described both as "esteemed jurists, legal scholars and public servants of the highest order who have severed this community well and have been a source of inspiration for many young people who have pursued a legal career." DeJongh said both Justices Cabret and Swan are "truly drum majors for justice and law exhibiting the personal fortitude to render tough, yet equitable rulings." Justice Cabret has served as Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands and its predecessor, the Territorial Court of the Virgin Islands. She became the second woman and the first person of Puerto Rican descent to serve on the local court bench. She retired two years ago but her calling to public service led to her being nominated and confirmed to the Territory’s highest court as an Associate Justice. A native of Frederiksted, St. Croix, Justice Cabret is a 1978 graduate of the Howard University School of Law. Justice Swan has spent his professional career as a tireless advocate with a dedication and love for the law. He has held many positions in the Government of the Virgin Islands: at the Department of Law, now the Justice Department, where he served as Legal Intern, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General and Attorney General. Justice Swan served three, six-year terms as Judge of the Territorial Court and its successor, the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands. In 2006, he was nominated and confirmed as an Associate Justice of the Virgin Islands Supreme Court. A native of St. Thomas, Justice Swan earned his JD degree from Howard University’s School of Law in 1970. "My wife, Cecile, and the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands join me in congratulating Justices Cabret and Swan and tonight’s other honorees," deJongh said in his written message. DeJongh spoke personally with both justices prior to the Saturday night celebration to convey his warm wishes on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands. |
