Sept. 27, 2001 – As acting governor Tuesday and Wednesday while Gov. Charles W. Turnbull was in New York City, Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II sent his own message to that city and followed up by sending five ambassadors of goodwill.
On Tuesday, according to a Government House release, James wrote to the comptroller of New York "updating him of the territory's efforts to support the national relief drive for the victims of the terrorist attack." He said the Virgin Islands' people "stand ready to render unwavering support and pledge to assist the people of New York in its recovery."
Further, he wrote, "In a collaborative effort with local private and public agencies, all financial resources will be pooled together to support recovery efforts." And, he said, telephone calls would be made to the V.I. Tourism office in New York "as well as local companies who also occupy office space in New York" to "accommodate many companies who have lost their offices and need operations on a temporary or long-term basis."
The release concluded with James saying, "With the assistance of the people of the United States Virgin Islands, New York will continue to play a vital role in keeping America proud, free and prosperous."
The "assistance," the letter explained, of V.I. firefighters collecting donations to assist fellow firefighters involved in rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center. By the end of Tuesday, $30,000 had been raised, he said, and five firefighters would be "traveling from the Virgin Islands to New York to present a check to the New York Fire Department, Local 94."
On Wednesday, in another release, James said the donations had reached $40,000. He also announced that he had granted administrative leave for the five firefighters to go to New York "to participate in recovery efforts" and to delivery the money to the union local. The trip is being financed by the V.I. Firefighters Union, the release stated.
Those making the trip are David Hodge, Eustace Grant and Luen Anthony of St. Thomas and Angel Torres and Davidson Charlemagne of St. Croix. They were to leave Wednesday and are expected to return "after Oct. 1," the release said.
