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July
4th Weekend in the U.S. Virgin Islands
WHEREAS,
July 3rd of each year has been designated as
"'Emancipation Day" in the United
States Virgin Islands pursuant to Title 1,
Section 171, Virgin Islands Code; and
WHEREAS,
July 3rd is the anniversary of the
emancipation of slaves in the Danish West
Indies, wherein enslaved Africans in the
former Danish West Indies were declared free
and slavery abolished through the Proclamation
issued by then Governor-General Peter von
Scholten; an event which by law is designated
a public holiday because of its significant
historical importance to the people of the
territory, being the first such Proclamation
of Freedom on what would later become American
soil; and
WHEREAS,
July 4th is the anniversary of the
independence and birth of the United States of
America, a nation that has given rise to the
ideals of freedom and democracy, while
championing the cause of human rights
throughout the world; and
WHEREAS,
consecutive days have linked the never ending
desire for human freedom to the concept of
government for, of and by the people; and
WHEREAS,
this year July 4th falls on a Sunday and in
order for the St. John to host its annual
parade it is necessary to grant administrative
leave on Monday, July 5th;
NOW,
THEREFORE, I, John P.
de Jongh, Jr., Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Revised Organic Act of 1954, as amended, do hereby proclaim
July 4th Weekend in the United States Virgin
Islands. I call upon all government agencies,
residents, churches, and community
organizations to join me in remembering those
who have suffered physically and mentally
during repressive times and those who have
given their lives in the pursuit of the
cherished ideal of human liberty.
Further, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Revised Organic Act of 1954, as amended,
I do herby authorize Commissioners and Agency
Heads to grant Administrative Leave to
non-essential employees, in order to encourage
greater participation and to enhance the
celebration of the July 4th festivities on the
island of St. John by all residents and
visitors, as follows:
TERRITORY-WIDE
(ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE):
Monday, July
5th, 2010 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
The leave
granted above shall not apply to essential
employees and employees on a regular or
rotating shift. Employees on annual or sick
leave immediately preceding or immediately
following the time period administrative leave
is granted will not receive administrative
leave. Future leave will not be granted to
employees who are considered essential and/or
whose shift happens to fall on a day in which
other employees are granted administrative
leave.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the
Seal of the Government of the United States Virgin Islands
to be affixed at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Virgin
Islands, this 30th day of June, A.D., 2010.
JOHN
P. DE JONGH, JR. |
