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April 3, 2008
GOVERNOR PROCLAIMS GOVERNOR CYRIL EMMANUEL KING DAY IN THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS Pursuant to Act No. 5147, April 7 of each year is proclaimed “Cyril Emmanuel King Day,” to recognize the outstanding public service of this great Virgin Islander. Cyril Emmanuel King was born on St. Croix on April 7, 1921, received his early education at St. Ann’s Catholic School at Barren Spot and graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Christiansted, St. Croix. He served with the U.S. Army Pacific Theatre troops in Hawaii; attaining the rank of Sergeant. Upon his discharge from the military, Cyril King entered American University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree. Upon graduation, King gained employment as an aide to Senator Hubert Humphrey of Minnesota, and became the first black man to serve on the staff of a United States Senator. He served for 12 years; attaining the position of Senior Staff Member. Cyril E. King was appointed by President John F. Kennedy to serve as Government Secretary of the U.S. Virgin Islands Government in 1961and in 1969, he was appointed Acting Governor of the territory. In 1972, he was elected as a Senator in the St. Thomas – St. John district, and in 1974 he became the second elected Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Cyril E. King received numerous awards for his outstanding community service, including Commander First Class of the Order of the Danneborg; the Silver Bronze Cross by H.M. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark; an honorary Doctor of Law degree from Roger Williams College in Bristol, Rhode Island; and the first Hilbert College, Buffalo, New York award for his outstanding humanitarian work. The airport on St. Thomas was renamed “The Cyril E. King Airport” in honor of this outstanding native son. Through the dedicated efforts of Governor Cyril E. King, the social, political and economic standards in the Territory were enhanced. |
