Governor and Lt. Governor of the United States Virgin Islands

6/27 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. spoke to the Territory this week on the importance of building on our shared responsibilities and common goals. In a recent radio talk, the Governor spoke of the shared sense of commitment to the future that came across at graduations at Virgin Islands high schools while decrying those who sow discord and division.

Governor deJongh's Summer Reading Challenge Continues with Book Distribution on Monday

The distribution of books for the Governor's Summer Reading Challenge will begin on Monday June 29th and students from kindergarten through eighth grade in all public and private schools in the territory are invited to participate in the program. Students may come to the centers to receive a journal and the first two of five books they are eligible to receive. Those students who already received two books at the program kickoff event must bring their journals signed by their parents in order to receive their next set of books.

Governor Meets with National Marine Fisheries Service Officials to Discuss Fishing Concerns in the Territory

6/24 - In a meeting at Government House Wednesday on St. Croix, Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. met with Samuel Rauch, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, and Dr. Roy Crabtree, Southeast Regional Administrator, of the National Marine Fisheries Service, an entity within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA).

Governor deJongh Addresses Young Professionals at Yacht Haven Grande, Offers Advice Encouragement and Guidance to Virgin Islands Youth

6/24 - On Tuesday evening, Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. was pleased to address the Young Professionals Network as the guest speaker at a ceremony celebrating the 1st Anniversary of the organization’s founding. The YPN was organized last year to provide a platform for Virgin Islands youth to network and promote the importance of building a foundation of future leaders in the Territory. The Chief Executive offered words of advice and encouragement and stressed the importance of seizing opportunities to help make a difference in one’s professional life and in one’s community.

Governor deJongh Attends BVI/USVI Friendship Day Celebration

6/23 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. led a large delegation of about 150 persons to Tortola, British Virgin Islands on Saturday for the 36th BVI/USVI Friendship Day Celebration. The annual event which was themed “A Harvest Thanksgiving: Two Virgin Islands, One People,” reaffirmed the close ties that exist between the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands and the people of the British Virgin Islands.

V.I,. Government Files Complaint in Superior Court Against Southland Gaming of the Virgin Islands

6/22 - The Government of the Virgin Islands has filed a complaint in Superior Court against Southland Gaming of the Virgin Islands, Inc. (SGVI). The lawsuit alleges that the video lottery gaming machine operator breached its contract with the Government when it failed to pay gross receipt taxes in addition to the proper percentage of net game revenues owed to the Government.

Government House Responds to Slanderous Remarks by Senator

6/21 - Government House Communications Director Jean P. Greaux, Jr. responded to inquiries that his office has received with respect to the unsubstantiated rumors being broadcast by Senator Adlah “Foncie” Donastorg, which alleged that the Governor had misspent public funds on renovations currently underway at the Governor and Mrs. deJongh's private residence.

Government House Reacts to Court Decision Regarding Real Property Taxes

6/16 - Government House on Tuesday acknowledged that the decision rendered by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirms the decision of the District Court. “As a result of the appeals court decision, the Tax Assessor’s office will be rescinding the 2006 real property tax bills. In addition, the Executive Order which was issued setting due dates for those property tax bills will be vacated,” said Government House Communications Director Jean P. Greaux, Jr.

Governor deJongh Submits Francis Nomination to 28th Legislature

6/16 - Governor John P. deJongh Jr. has forwarded the nomination of Novelle E. Francis Jr. as the next V.I. Police Commissioner to the 28th Legislature for its review and consideration.

Governor Acts on Bill 28-0029; Approval Creates Act 7064

6/16 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. has approved Bill 28-0029 which will authorize borrowing by the government to bridge the revenue shortfall now being experienced as a result of the economic recession.

Governor Returns from Meetings with Federal Officials; Past Discussions with U.S. Department of Education and Vice President Produces Major Benefit for Virgin Islands

6/16 - Following meetings with Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. said Monday night he was pleased at the announcement by the U.S. Department of Education that the territory is eligible for almost $71 million in federal stimulus monies.

DeJongh Attends Meetings in North Carolina; Will Discuss Release of Federal Stimulus Monies with U.S. Education Secretary

6/13 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. departed the territory on Saturday afternoon for North Carolina where he will participate in an Education Symposium with some of the nation’s governors. While in North Carolina, deJongh will meet with U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan to discuss the anticipated release of the rules and regulations which will govern the Virgin Islands use of State Stabilization Funds provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Documents Purporting to be "Writ of Mandamus" Forwarded to Attorney General for Review

6/12 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. said Friday that a copy of a document was delivered to Government House on St. Croix earlier in the day which bore the stamp of having been received at the District Court in St. Croix and which purported to be a Writ of Mandamus. The document has been forwarded to the Attorney General for whatever legal response, if any, is deemed appropriate.

Governor Makes Determination Regarding Proposed Constitution

6/11 - Citing the failure of the Proposed Constitution to be in compliance with both local and federal laws, Governor John P. deJongh held a news conference on Thursday to report to the people of the Virgin Islands that he would not send the Proposed Constitution submitted by the Fifth Constitutional Convention to President Barack Obama.

Governor deJongh: Virgin Islands Joins States and Territories in Common Core Standards Initiative

6/10 - Virgin Islands Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. and Education Commissioner Dr. La Verne Terry have joined the Common Core States Standards Initiatives, a process to develop common English-Language Arts and Mathematics standards. The Common Core State Standards Initiative will be jointly led by the National Governor’s Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO).

Governor deJongh Nominates Julia Sheen as Health Commissioner; Renominates Steven Van Beverhoudt to Seven-Year Term as V.I. Inspector General

6/10 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. has nominated Julia Sheen to the position of Health Commissioner and has re-nominated Steven Van Beverhoudt to his fourth term as the Virgin Islands Inspector General. Sheen has served as Acting Commissioner of Health since February and prior to that, held the position of Assistant Health Commissioner, a post she was appointed to in October 2007. Van Beverhoudt, the territory’s first Inspector General, has served in the position since March 1989.

Governor Extends Condolences to Family, Friends and Classmates of CAHS Graduate and 2009 Carnival Queen Karence de Costa

6/8 - On behalf of the Virgin Islands community, Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. Monday expressed his deepest condolences to the family, friends and classmates of Karence Tirrell De Costa, who died in an automobile accident on St. Thomas’ Veterans Drive Monday morning.

Governor deJongh is Joined by Governors of Other U.S. Territories Seeking Fair and Equitable Treatment in Pending Federal Health Reform Legislation

6/6 - Joined by the Governors of the other territories of the United States, Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. has written to both the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance Max Baucus and the Committee’s Ranking Member Charles Grassley urging support for fair and equitable treatment of the U.S. offshore areas on health care reform legislation presently pending before the Senate Finance Committee.

Governor deJongh Refers Proposed Constitution to V.I. Attorney General for Legal Analysis and Opinion

6/3 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. has submitted an official request to Attorney General Vincent Frazer for a legal analysis and opinion with respect to the Proposed Constitution recently submitted by the Fifth Virgin Islands Constitutional Convention. The Governor’s request letter to the Attorney General, dated June 1, was issued on the same date that the Proposed Constitution was received at the Governor’s Office.

Governor deJongh Congratulates National Guards Civil Support Team on Certification

6/3 - Virgin Islands National Guard Commander- in-Chief, Governor John P. deJongh, Jr, Wednesday congratulated the VING’s Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team on its recent certification.

Governor deJongh's Summer Reading Program Kicks Off This Week

5/31 - Students across the territory are being challenged to read more this summer in a campaign initiated by Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. Take the Challenge! Read 5!, the Governor’s Reading Challenge, kicks off on Tuesday, June 2nd on St. Thomas at the Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School and on Thursday, June 4th at the St. Croix Central High School. Scores of students in grades K through 8 will be on hand for the distributions of free books as well as program rules and requirements.

Governor deJongh: Revenue Shortfall and Effects of Economic Recession Delay Submission of Fiscal Year 2010 Budget

5/31 - The financial challenges facing the Territory as a result of the global economic recession has delayed Governor John P. deJongh’s submission of the government’s Fiscal Year 2010 budget to the 28th Legislature. The executive spending plan was due on May 30.

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