Governor and Lt. Governor of the United States Virgin Islands

6/30/08 - Government House announced Monday that following last week’s formal submittal of the Diageo agreement to the 27th Legislature, the documents which detail the proposed 30-year agreement between the Virgin Islands Government and Diageo are now available for public review on the Government House website, www.GovernordeJongh.com.

U.S. House of Representatives Committee approves funding for key V.I. projects: New 9-1-1 emergency system, flood control project in Frederiksted as well as study on electricity grids in the Territory

6/27/08 - The House Appropriations Committee has included $1.45 million in special project funding for the Virgin Islands in the first two spending bills reported by the Committee in the FY 2009 appropriations process. The two bills include funding for a new "911" emergency communications system for the Virgin Islands, a much needed flood control project to protect the town of Frederiksted, and a comprehensive engineering study of practical ways to connect the electricity grids between all three islands and to reduce utility bills for V.I. consumers – all top priorities of the deJongh administration.

Governor deJongh and principals of Diageo discuss arrangement for Captain Morgan Rum to be produced on St. Croix at Press Conference

6/25/08 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. held a news conference today at Government House on St. Croix. DeJongh was joined by officials of Diageo, PLC to provide additional details on the landmark public-private partnership between the Government of the Virgin Islands and the world’s leading producer of premium spirits, wine and beer. DeJongh announced the economic development initiative during a televised address to the territory on June 24, 2008.

Remarks by Delegate Christensen
Remarks by David Gosnell

Virgin Islands Governor John deJongh announces landmark initiative with Diageo for Captain Morgan run distillery on St. Croix

6/23/08 - U.S. Virgin Islands Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. today announced a landmark public-private initiative with Diageo, the world’s leading spirits, wine and beer company for the construction and operation of a high capacity distillery on the island of St. Croix.

Read the Governor's Remarks | en Español

Governor saddened by death of Sidney Lee

6/21/08 - Governor John P. deJongh Jr. said this weekend he was saddened to learn of the passing of former Virgin Islands Senator and life-long philanthropist, Sidney Lee.

"In Sidney Lee’s death, the Virgin Islands have lost a truly dedicated public servant and great supporter of many causes in our territory," deJongh said. Many in the Territory have benefited from Senator Lee’s generosity. "Sidney Lee provided funding for scholarships, summer camps and financial aid for students of the Virgin Islands as they sought to broaden their education potential, and for the development educational programs."

Governor returns to the territory having concluded meetings in Washington

6/21/08 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. wrapped up a three-day trip to the nation’s capitol on Thursday afternoon following a meeting with Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne. Both officials discussed a range of key economic development initiatives, the energy crisis, air transportation, various National Park issues and progress being made in the St. John School-Estate Grange land exchange.

Governor deJongh to address the territory on Monday evening; Announcement to unveil major economic initiative

6/21/08 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. will deliver a territorial address to the people of the Virgin Islands on Monday, June 23, 2008 at 8 pm.

DeJongh will address the residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands to unveil a major economic development initiative for the territory. The address will be broadcast and televised simultaneously on both television and radio stations throughout the territory.

Governor makes good on promise to establish Children and Families Council

6/17/08 - Fulfilling a promise made in his 2008 State of the Territory Address, Governor John P. deJongh Jr. has signed an Executive Order establishing "The Governor’s Children and Families Council," as well as an advisory committee that reports to the Council on matters of early childhood education and care. The Council will convene quarterly. Governor deJongh wishes to stress the importance of this sweeping effort to improve the quality and effectiveness of the delivery of essential services.

Governor makes nomination to St. Croix Hospital Board

6/17/08 - Before departing the territory for Washington, D.C. on Monday, Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. nominated Valdemar A. Hill, Jr. to serve on the St. Croix District Governing Board of the Government Hospitals and Health Facilities Corporation.

First Lady Cecile deJongh travels to Denver for NGA policy retreat highlighting early childhood education best practices

6/17/08 - First Lady Cecile deJongh, serving in her role as Chairperson of the Virgin Islands Children and Families Council, departed the Territory this week to attend a policy retreat in Denver, Colorado at the National Governor’s Association (NGA). The First Lady is traveling with Eleanor Hirsh, who is a consultant, trainer, and advocate on Territorial children and family issues, and Angeli Ferdschneider, Special Assistant to the Governor, to attend the NGA Center for Best Practices. The Virgin Islands delegation will join other state and territorial teams to attend workshops and discuss early childhood education.

Governor travels to Washington, D.C. for meetings and later to Chicago for meetings with Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama

6/16/08 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. departed the Virgin Islands Monday afternoon for Washington, D.C. where he will meet for two days this week with members of the U.S. Congress including V.I. Delegate Donna Christian Christensen. The governor will follow up on earlier conversations which focused on economic development initiatives for the Territory and continued funding for various capital projects including a revamped 911 communications system.

Office of the Governor announces community-wide voting results for Virgin Islands Commemorative Quarter design

6/16/08 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. is pleased to announce the results of the community-wide voting effort to select a design for the Virgin Islands Commemorative Quarter. The deadline for input on the final selection ended on Friday, June 13, 2008. According to the final tally, including electronic voting and paper ballots, the "V.I. Beauty" design secured the most support, pulling in 6,882 votes. The other two entries, "First in Freedom" and "Three Queens" received 4,553 and 1,887 votes, respectively.

Governor stands by AFT contract, importance of professional development days stressed

6/14/08 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. said this weekend he remains hopeful that the teachers, nurses, school psychologists and others who make up the professional bargaining unit of the local chapters of the American Federation of Teachers will reconsider their decision to reject the government’s latest contract offer which amounted to an almost $21 million contract over a four-year term. The union voted to reject the proposal during membership meetings in both districts on June 5. The Government’s Chief Labor Negotiator, Jessica Gallivan, was formally notified of the rejection the day after.

Governor discusses disposition of SBA's interest in St. Croix's Hotel on the Cay

6/14/08 - During his most recent trip to Washington, D.C., Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. met with U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) officials as regards its disposition of its fifty percent (50%) interest in Hotel on the Cay. "The strategic location of this property and Government’s underlying ownership of the property requires that we consider the long-term use of the property especially as we focus on the revitalization of downtown Christiansted. This requires that we be proactive and not reactive to those that will want us to partner with them."

Office of the Governor reminds community of deadline for voting for Virgin Islands Commemorative Quarter Design

6/13/08 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. is reminding the general public that the deadline for community input on the selection of a design for the Virgin Islands Commemorative Quarter ends today, Friday, June 13, 2008. Paper ballot should be received at Government House no later than 5:00 p.m. today in order to be included in the final tally, and electronic voting will end at midnight tonight.

BIR Director: $11 million in economic stimulus payments and more than $71.5 million in income tax refunds issued to date

6/12/08 - The Virgin Islands government is continuing to process and disburse both Economic Stimulus Rebate and tax year 2007 income tax refund checks on a regular basis. Bureau of Internal Revenue Director Gizette Canegata-Thomas reported Thursday that, as of June 11, more than 14,500 rebate checks totaling $11.7 million have been issued for payment. "The Bureau authorized the Finance Department to make payments of $2.4 million in economic stimulus rebate checks on May 13; $4.6 million on May 19 and about $4.6 million on June 2."

DLCA Commissioner issues order regarding price increases for gasoline products

6/12/08 - As part of the Administration’s continuing efforts to bring some stability to the ever-increasing cost of gasoline products in the territory, Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Kenrick Robertson Thursday issued an order to gasoline wholesalers and retailers in the territory establishing a procedure for fuel price increases.

Governor deJongh proclaims Men's Health Week in the United States Virgin Islands

6/12/08 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. has proclaimed the week of June 9-15, 2008, as "Men's Health Week" in the Territory, to draw attention to the importance of men and their families becoming more aware of men’s health needs, and to increase early detection and treatment of disease through regular medical checkups.

deJongh briefed by Guardsman on functions of the Virgin Islands National Guard

6/10/08 - Adjutant General of the Virgin Islands, Brigadier General Renaldo Rivera, opened the doors of the Virgin Islands National Guard recently, to provide insight on its operations, to Governor John P. deJongh Jr. and members of the Government House Senior Staff at the VING’s facility in Sprat Hall, Frederiksted, St. Croix.

Kansas Senator endorses overhaul of the V.I. 911 Communications System; Calls on Homeland Security Secretary to offer full support to the deJongh Administration

6/10/08 - In the aftermath of meetings with Congressional leaders in Washington, D.C. last week, U.S. Senator Sam Brownback has endorsed the DeJongh Administration’s plan to completely revamp the territory’s 911 communications system and has called on U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to "carefully examine the project and give it his full support."

Governor signs TIF Legislation; Act 7004 creates significant development option for those seeking to make significant investment in the V.I.

6/10/08 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. Tuesday approved legislation which implements tax increment financing in the Virgin Islands. The Administration proposal, which passed the Senate on an 11-4 vote last month, creates another economic development option for those interested in making significant investment in the territory.

Read more | Text of Act No. 7004

Governor and Attorney General tour Golden Grove Adult Correction Facility

6/9/08 - Consistent with his Administration’s efforts to bring about reform to law enforcement, Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. along with members of his Senior Staff and Attorney General Vincent F. Frazer toured the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility on St. Croix Sunday. The unannounced visit marked the first time in recent history that a governor visited the prison at Golden Grove.

Citing the need to address critical challenges and urgent needs, Governor submits reprogramming bill to the 27th Legislature

6/9/08 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. Monday submitted legislation to the Virgin Islands Legislature which reprograms various funds in the Fiscal Year 2008 to address some critical challenges and urgent needs in the government.

In a Monday transmittal letter to Senate President Usie R. Richards, deJongh wrote, several sections re-program funds in order to address the government’s increased utility costs for the remainder of the fiscal year. Section 7 of the legislation appropriates $5 million to compensate the Virgin Islands Water & Power Authority for unpaid government obligations, whether of the central government or semiautonomous agencies. "We all are aware of the financial challenges facing WAPA due to increasing fuel costs due to factors beyond our immediate financial control, and, consequently, the entire territory. These measures should assist in addressing some of WAPA’s woes. I must caution, however, that the payment of these monies, by itself, will not cure all of WAPA’s challenges. I will continue to pursue other avenues to assist WAPA and address the energy costs of the Virgin Islands," deJongh wrote.

Governor resubmits legislation for creation of Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation; Requests Senate action

6/5/08 - Before departing the territory this week for Washington, D.C., Governor John P. deJongh Jr. resubmitted legislation which, if approved by the 27th Legislature, would create a department of Sports, Park and Recreation in the territory.

"I unwaveringly maintain that the creation of the new Sports, Parks and Recreation is needed for the government to properly tend to and develop its public parks and sports facilities and to develop programs for our constituents," deJongh wrote in a transmittal letter to the Senate.

dejongh elated at Obama's success in securing the Democratic Party Nomination

6/3/08 - From Washington D.C. Tuesday night, Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. congratulated Sen. Barack Obama on becoming the Democratic nominee for President of the United States in November’s General Election. In a defining moment in history, Obama became the first African-American to head the ticket of a major political party in the United States. Obama crossed the critical delegate mark in Tuesday’s primaries to clinch the party nomination.

Governor in Washington, D.C. this week for meetings with members of the Appropriations Committees in both Houses of Congress

6/3/08 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. departed the territory Tuesday afternoon for meetings in Washington, D.C.

Government House Communications Director Jean Greaux, Jr. said the meetings are with senior members of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees. "DeJongh will discuss funding for a variety of key Virgin Islands priorities included the development of a state of the art enhanced 911 communications system for the Territory as well as upgrades to health-care facilities and highway improvements."

Governor deJongh proclaims housing month in the United States Virgin Islands

6/2/08 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. has proclaimed the month of June 2008 as "Housing Month," in the United States Virgin Islands.

Hurricane Awareness Month proclaimed in the U.S. Virgin Islands

6/2/08 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. has proclaimed the month of June 2008 as "Hurricane Awareness Month," in the United States Virgin Islands.

The United States Virgin Islands is extremely vulnerable to the effects of tropical storms and hurricanes due to its location between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Residents of the Territory need to be more aware of the damage these disasters can cause and the importance of taking necessary precautions against such storms.

Governor proclaims Safety Month in the U.S. Virgin Islands

6/2/08 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. has proclaimed the month of June 2008 as “Safety Month” in the United States Virgin Islands.