| WHEREAS, residents
of French heritage are an important citizen
group in our Virgin Islands community; and WHEREAS,
July 7-14, 2011 has been designated by Title 1,
Section 185, Virgin Islands Code, and Act No.
5864, as "French Heritage Week" in the
U.S. Virgin Islands; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate
that we demonstrate to our residents, neighbors
and friends of French descent our feeling of
warmth and sincere friendship towards the; and
WHEREAS, July
14th is celebrated by the French people as
Bastille Day in commemoration of the storming
and destruction of the Bastille, the state
prison in Paris, France on July 14, 1789, during
the French Revolution; and
WHEREAS, the
expertise of the people of French heritage in
the areas of fishing, farming, the professions
and other vocations, has contributed
significantly to the political, economic,
social, and cultural progress and growth o the
Territory; and
WHEREAS, this was
a significant act of bravery against tyranny
during the French Revolution and resulted in the
establishment of a republic and the freedom of
the French people; and
WHEREAS, the
affection and respect of the people of the
Virgin Islands for brothers and sisters of
French descent have been recognized by the
Legislature and various community organizations;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, John P.
de Jonqh, Jr., Governor of the
United States Virgin Is1ands, by virtue of the authority vested
in me by the Revised Organic Act of 1954, as amended, do hereby
proclaim Thursday, July 14, 2011 as, as "Bastille
Day," and July 7th through July 14th, 2011
as "French Heritage Week" in the U.S.
Virgin Islands, and urge all residents to join
in this observation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and cause
the Seal. of the Government of the Virgin Islands
of the United States to be affixed at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Virgin
Islands, this 6th day of July, A.D., 2011.
John P.
de Jongh, Jr.
Governor
Attest:
Gregory
R. Francis
Lieutenant Governor
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