USVI governor to present awards to two US Senators
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| Published on Friday, February 22, 2008 |
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By Susan Mann
Caribbean Net News US Virgin Islands Correspondent
Email: susan@caribbeannetnews.com
ST THOMAS, USVI: The Council of Washington DC has proclaimed Tuesday, February 26 as “Virgin Islands Day” in the nation’s capital and on that day, Governor John deJongh Jr. will present the Alexander Hamilton Award for Distinguished Public Service US Senators John D. Rockefeller and Orrin Hatch. The awards will be presented during a ceremony in Washington, DC.
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Senator John D. Rockefeller
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DeJongh said the public service careers of Senators Rockefeller and Hatch reflect the finest qualities of Alexander Hamilton, one of our greatest Founding Fathers and a Crucian. “These Senate leaders have dedicated their careers to families and children, including US Virgin Islanders who have directly benefited by their concern for the under-represented.”
Senator Rockefeller of West Virginia is in his fourth term in the US Senate. He previously served as Governor of West Virginia. Rockefeller developed an interest in the people of West Virginia following a stay as a young Peace Corp Volunteer. He is currently Chairman of the Select Committee on Intelligence, and serves as Chairman of Senate Finance Committee’s subcommittee on Health-care.
His family’s philanthropy is responsible for the St John National Park, and the Senator has retained a personal interest in the welfare of the people of St John.
Senator Orrin Hatch, a Republican of Utah has been in the Senate since 1976. He has served as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and as a Member of the Senate Finance Committee, where he is currently the senior Republican on the Heath-care subcommittee. He is personally credited with the creation of the generic drug industry which now benefits millions of Americans each year. Senator Hatch has taken a strong interest in the life of Alexander Hamilton on St Croix.
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Senator Orrin G. Hatch
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DeJongh said, “Alexander Hamilton’s childhood in the Virgin Islands was fundamental to his writing skills, his political philosophy, his economic and financial acumen, and his steadfast opposition to slavery. Without Hamilton, there would be no America, and without St. Croix, there is a good chance that America would not have had Alexander Hamilton.”
Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury, has been credited with creating the American banking system, the Coast Guard, America’s oldest newspaper, and publication of most of the Federalist Papers. His image is on the ten-dollar bill. He was killed in a duel with Aaron Burr in 1804.
The Government of the Virgin Islands initiated the Alexander Hamilton Award for Distinguished Public Service in 2006. The first awards were presented to Representative Charles Rangel and Senator Mike Crapo, in 2006.
The Selection Committee, appointed by the Governor, includes: Ambassador Terrence Todman, Delegate Donna Christensen, George Dudley, Esq., President of the University of the Virgin Islands, Dr. Laverne Ragster, UVI Professor Emeritus and Historian Dr. Marilyn Krigger, and member of the St. Croix Historical Society and Chairman of the Selection Committee Robert A. Johnson.
The criteria for selection, as adopted by the Selection Committee, are: (1) intellectual brilliance, (2) outstanding leadership, (3) outstanding love of country, (4) honor, and (5) commitment to democracy and concern for the underrepresented.
DeJongh also thanked Council member Jack Evans, the President Pro Tempore of the Council of the District of Columbia, for designating February 26, 2008 as Virgin Islands Day. “Jack Evans, one of the Districts most thoughtful and progressive City Council members, has once again introduced legislation honoring the Virgin Islands. We will always be grateful for his friendship to the Territory”. | | | | Reads : 419 | | | |
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