St. John Video Clip #3 “My voice has been an important and necessary voice in the 30th Legislature. Just recently several members of the body attended the meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Our Senate President was successful in introducing a measure seeking the support of this national body of almost 47,000 legislators in this country to support our inclusion in the vote for president of the United States.” “Because he had to leave the conference, President Malone selected me to debate the matter on the Territory’s behalf. As the only non-majority, the only Independent member of the Legislature from the District of St. Thomas-St. John, I am not a member of the President’s majority. While there were other non majority and majority members there, the President selected me to deliver the Territory’s argument. I have to believe that in making this selection that he thought me best suited for the task. And I am pleased to report that I delivered.” “After my defense of the motion, the body voted almost unanimously to add its voice to help to resolve this separate and unequal treatment of Virgin Islanders with regard to our United States citizenship.” “I cannot begin to tell you of the feeling of immense pride and accomplishment at helping to bring such an immense ally as the NCSL to the Territory’s cause. I hope you don’t think me immodest, but it is advocacy of this kind and quality which will help take us to where we want to be—a place of respect and equality with regard to our long evolving citizenship. This is my home and I will do all that is within me to make it the best for all of our people on whatever front I am required to take that fight.” “There is a way to speak to power. You have to speak power to power, and to do this with conviction. Some people want me to make more noise. It is one of the criticisms that I sometimes face, primarily by people who have yet to understand my approach. You see, I am like the still water running deep, the quiet storm which knows its purpose and will not be deterred.”
Posted on: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 21:51:24 +0000