Committee on Government Operations & Consumer Protection – POSTPONED

The Committee on Government Operations & Consumer Protection has scheduled a meeting for 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 17, 2021 in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall, St. Thomas. The purpose of the meeting is to receive testimony and consider the following bills:

Bill No. 34-0157 –  A Resolution honoring and commending Gloria H. Canegata Waterman for her outstanding years of service to the Virgin Islands Community as an educator and public servant through various organizations.
This bill is sponsored by Senator Kenneth L. Gittens.

Bill No. 34-0153 – An Act establishing the Sixth Constitutional Convention of the Virgin Islands; and providing for an appropriation to cover convention-related expenses.
This bill is sponsored by Senator Janelle K. Sarauw.

Additionally, the Committee will vote on:
Bill No. 34-0146 – An Act acknowledging and commemorating the memory of Mary Thomas, Axeline Salomon, Mathilde Mcbean, Susanna Abramson, and other estate laborers before, during, and after the Labor Uprising of 1878 or “Firebun” and their courageous pursuit of human rights, freedom from serfdom variant, and improvement of labor conditions in the former Danish West Indies, and condemning the excessive, cruel, and unjust punishment meted out to the laborers by the Danish Government.
This bill is sponsored by Senators Javan E. James, Sr., Marvin A. Blyden and Genevieve R. Whitaker. 

Bill No. 34-0150 – An Act honoring and commending former Governor John Percy deJongh, Jr. for his significant service and contributions to the people of the Virgin Islands, and for his tireless efforts to help expand and grow economy of the Virgin Islands and naming the walkway and improvements adjacent to the Veterans Drive Highway on the island of St. Thomas the “John de Jongh, Jr. Promenade”.
This bill is sponsored by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr., and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.

BLOCK I 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
The Committee will receive testimony concerning Bill No. 34-0157– A Resolution honoring and commending Gloria H. Canegata Waterman for her outstanding years of service to the Virgin Islands Community as an educator and public servant through various organizations. This bill is sponsored by Senator Kenneth L. Gittens.

Invited Testifiers:
The Honorable Alicia Barnes, Former Senator, Legislature of the Virgin Islands
Mr. Terrance T. Joseph, Resident
The Honorable Charles W. Turnbull, Ph.D., Former Governor, U.S. Virgin Islands
Mr. Rupert Ross, Jr., Resident
Ms. Gizette L. Thomas, Resident

BLOCK II 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
The Committee will receive testimony concerning Bill No. 34-0153 – An Act establishing the Sixth Constitutional Convention of the Virgin Islands; and providing for an appropriation to cover convention related expenses.
This bill is sponsored by Senator Janelle K. Sarauw.

Invited Testifiers:
Mr. Emile A. Henderson III, Esq., Ross-Edwards Henderson & Bates, LLP
The Honorable Myron Jackson, Former Senator Legislature of the Virgin Islands
Mr. Kurt Marsh, Member, VI Historic Preservation Commission
Ms. Gwen-Marie Moolenaar, Ph D., President, League of Women Voters of the Virgin Islands
Mr. Malik Sekou, Ph D., Professor, University of the Virgin Islands
Ms. Mary Moorhead, Activist, St. Croix Resident
Mr. Gerard Emanuel, Former Delegate, 5th Constitutional Convention

LUNCH 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

BLOCK III 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
The Committee will vote on Bill Nos.:
34-0146 –  An Act acknowledging and commemorating the memory of Mary Thomas, Axeline Salomon, Mathilde Mcbean, Susanna Abramson, and other estate laborers before, during, and after the Labor Uprising of 1878 or “Firebun” and their courageous pursuit of human rights, freedom from serfdom variant, and improvement of labor conditions in the former Danish West Indies, and condemning the excessive, cruel, and unjust punishment meted out to the laborers by the Danish Government.
This bill is sponsored by Senators Javan E. James, Sr., Marvin A. Blyden and Genevieve R. Whitaker.

34-0150  –  An Act honoring and commending former Governor John Percy deJongh, Jr. for his significant service and contributions to the people of the Virgin Islands, and for his tireless efforts to help expand and grow economy of the Virgin Islands and naming the walkway and improvements adjacent to the Veterans Drive Highway on the island of St. Thomas the “John de Jongh, Jr. Promenade”. This bill is sponsored by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.

34-0090 –  An Act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 25, subchapter V, section 570 relating to the Career Incentive Program for peace officers to extend the Program to all peace officers identified in title 5 Virgin Islands Code, section 3561(a). This bill is sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Javan E. James, Sr.