USVIGOP extends condolences to family of WAPA lineman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Christiansted (September 13, 2017)—The Republican Party of the United States Virgin Islands issued the following statement by and through its Chairman John M. Canegata.

“My deepest condolences to the family and co-workers of the fallen, this has truly saddened us here at the USVIGOP.  While we understand nothing we say or do, can bring back the life that was lost, we can certainly tell you how much Virgin Islanders appreciate the fact that you were out there working hard on their behalf” Canegata said.

Out of respect for the ultimate sacrifice made by this member of the WAPA family, a halt has been ordered to all hurricane restoration work in both districts on Wednesday. Members of the WAPA family are encouraged to use this day to reflect on the sacrifices our linemen and plant personnel make each day in producing and distributing electrical service to the people of the Virgin Islands.

“We ask that Virgin Islanders without power to remain patient during this difficult time, rest assured the good folks at WAPA will be back at it the next day” stated Canegata.

“Our party will continue to reach out to the White House and the U.S. Congress to ensure that aid and relief are provided in a timely manner. We thank President Trump for his words of encouragement and his swift actions which helped the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a $15 billion disaster relief package with a broad bipartisan majority” Canegata said.

“Please join me and my family as we pray for the continued safety of the hardworking folks at WAPA,” said Canegata of St. Croix.

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GOP statement on 9/11

On behalf of the Republican Party of the United States Virgin Islands, National Committeeman Jevon O.A. Williams issued the following statement on the 16th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks:

“Let us put politics aside and come together, not as Republicans, Democrats or Independents but as Americans, to remember all of our fellow Americans who died, were injured or lost loved ones in the terrorist attacks of 9/11. We must also remember the heroes—the first responders, firefighters, police officers, soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, guardsmen—who have courageously put country before self.”

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VIGOP Chairman sends his condolences to families of Hurricane Irma victims

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Christiansted (September 8, 2017)—The Republican Party of the United States Virgin Islands issued the following statement by and through its Chairman John M. Canegata.

“While we thank god for staying his merciful hand here on the island of St. Croix, we continue to pray for the swift recovery of our sister islands St. Thomas and St. John. I would like to take this time to send my deepest condolences to all the families that have suffered the loss a loved one during Hurricane Irma” Canegata said.

“The road to recovery is a long one, but if we all pitch in, lend a helping hand to a neighbor in need, trust and believe, we will emerge stronger than before. This is not a St. Croix, St. Thomas, or St. John issue, it is a Virgin Islands issue, and we are all in this together” Canegata said.

“Our party will continue to reach out to the White House and the U.S. Congress to ensure that aid and relief are provided in a timely manner. We thank President Trump for his words of encouragement and his swift actions which helped the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a $15 billion disaster relief package Friday morning with a broad bipartisan majority” Canegata stated.

The measure was sent to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it into law later today.

“Please join me and my family as we continue to pray for all our Caribbean cousins affected by Irma,” said Canegata of St. Croix.

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National GOP calls for equal U.S. citizenship for territories

AUGUST 25, 2017 — In major news, national GOP leaders repudiated the unequal citizenship of Americans living in the country’s territories during a meeting of the Republican National
Committee on Friday in Nashville.

The Republican National Committee did so with the passage of a resolution entitled “Affirming the Equal Citizenship for All Americans.” The resolution’s sponsor was the Virgin Islands’ national
committeeman, Jevon Williams.

“The Republican National Committee calls upon Congress to ensure that American citizens residing in the territories of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have
unfettered enjoyment of their American citizenship, including the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution,” stated the resolution.

“The Republican National Committee calls upon Congress to ensure that American citizens residing in the territories of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have
unfettered enjoyment of their American citizenship, including the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution,” stated the resolution.

“All Americans must be able to enjoy the full benefits of their citizenship,” said Williams, who serves in the Army National Guard. “For too long, Washington has ignored Americans in the territories, a disproportionate number of whom wear the uniform defending the freedoms and liberties that define us as Americans, including basic constitutional rights that are wrongly denied to them.”

The resolution will now be sent to President Donald J. Trump, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Americans in the territories are U.S. citizens, but they do not receive full enjoyment of their citizenship.

* In addition to being denied both a vote for president and full congressional representation, not all provisions of the Constitution have been extended to the territories.

The legal basis for two classes of U.S. citizenship derives the Insular Cases, a series of Supreme Court rulings dating to the late 1890s when some of the territories were first acquired.

The principal author of the Insular Cases legal doctrine was Justice Henry Brown, who also authored the high court’s notorious racist and pro-segregationist ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson.

All 56 states and territories are represented on the 168-member Republican National Committee by the party chairman, committeewoman, and committeeman.

Jevon O.A. Williams was elected to the office of National Committeeman on June 11, 2016, and ratified by the Republican National Committee in General Session on January 19, 2017.

To learn more about Jevon O.A. Williams and his fight for equality for All American please click here.

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* Editor’s note: American Samoa is the fifth territory, but American Samoans are U.S. nationals, not citizens.

 

A copy of the resolution can be found here.

 

 

 

VIGOP Offers Reward For Info Leading To Safe Return Of Lyana Serieux

August 2, 2017 — Chairman John Canegata announced that the Republican Party of the United States Virgin Islands is offering rewards of up to $5,000 for any credible information leading to the safe return of Lyana Serieux, and for any credible information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the abduction and brutal murder of 10-year-old Jordan Serieux and 5-year-old Jeremiah Serieux.

“Lyana Serieux is one of us, she is out there somewhere, and I am going to do everything I can to find her, I ask all Virgin Islanders to lend your support the authorities, if you see something, say something, until Lyana is found and justice is served, I remain committed to using every resource at my disposal to assist our law enforcement authorities in this investigation,” said Canegata.

Canegata went on to say, “Witnessing the overwhelming outpour of community support Lyana Serieux and her family has received makes me proud to be a Virgin Islander, this is what we do, when something affects one of us, it affects us all. I am very proud of the officers of the Virgin Islands Police Department, all our First Responders and those who have volunteered in all capacities, by forming search parties, donating food, water and their precious time.” Canegata said, “In troubling times like these, it is now, more than ever before important for Virgin Islanders to come together, I continue to pray for the safe return of Lyana and humbly ask that every Virgin Islander does the same.”