ST. THOMAS – The 36th Legislature of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, led by Senate President Milton E. Potter met in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall. Lawmakers met to officially organize the 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands.
Lawmakers met to consider Bill No. 36-0001, A resolution organizing the 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands, electing the officers of the Legislature, and establishing the standing committees, the chairs, the vice chairs, and the membership of each committee. The measure was voted upon favorably.
The majority caucus consists of Marvin A. Blyden, Angel L. Bolques, Jr., Ray Fonseca, Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Hubert L. Frederick, Kenneth L. Gittens, Marise C. James, Franklin D. Johnson, Carla J. Joseph, Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Avery L. Lewis, Milton E. Potter, and Kurt A. Vialet. Senator Milton E. Potter is elected President. Senator Kenneth L. Gittens is elected Vice President. Senator Avery L. Lewis is elected Secretary. Senator Kurt A. Vialet is elected majority leader. Senator Marise C. James is elected Secretary of Intergovernmental Relations and Territorial Affairs. Senator Ray Fonseca is elected Liaison to the United States Department of Interior and Insular Affairs and Senator Kenneth L. Gittens is elected Liaison to the White House.
The Committee on Rules and Judiciary will be chaired by Senator Carla J. Joseph and Vice chaired by Senator Kenneth L. Gittens. The Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance will be chaired by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Vice chaired by Senator Marvin A. Blyden. The Committee on Health, Hospitals, and Human Services will be chaired by Senator Ray Fonseca and Vice chaired by Senator Hubert L. Frederick. The Committee on Education and Workforce Development will be chaired by Senator Kurt A. Vialet and vice chaired by Senator Avery L. Lewis. The Committee on Education and Workforce Development will be chaired by Senator Kurt A Vialet and vice chaired by Avery L. Lewis. The Committee on Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning will be chaired by Senator Marise C James and Vice chaired by Milton E. Potter.
The Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture will be chaired by Senator Hubert L. Frederick, and Vice Chaired by Senator Angel L. Bolques Jr. The Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety will be chaired by Senator Clifford Joseph Sr and Vice Chaired by Senator Ray Fonseca. The Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs and Consumer Protection will be chaired by Senator Avery L. Lewis and vice chaired by Senator Novelle E. Francis Jr. The Committee on Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications will be chaired by Senator Marvin A. Blyden and Vice Chaired by Senator Clifford Joseph. The Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks will be Chaired by Senator Angel L. Bolques, Jr., and vice chaired by Senator Carla J. Joseph.
Incoming Senate President Milton E. Potter stated that it is very humbling to have been elected to serve as President of this body. “We stand on a threshold of a new chapter in the United States Virgin Islands”. We form a leadership calloo, a different perspective.” Potter stated that as the senators embark on this journey, their primary duty is to listen to each other. Potter called the challenges formidable, but not insurmountable. Lawmakers also approved Bill No. 36-0002, a resolution adopting the Rules of the 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands. The Regular Session was then recessed until January 27, 2025 at 7pm to host the State of the Territory Address.
Newly elected senators of the 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands include Marvin A. Blyden, Angel L. Bolques, Jr., Dwayne M. Degraff, Ray Fonseca, Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Alma Francis Heyliger, Hubert L. Frederick, Kenneth L. Gittens, Marise C. James, Franklin D. Johnson, Carla J. Joseph, Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Avery L. Lewis, Milton E. Potter, and Kurt A. Vialet.
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