Nov. 9, 2001 – Sen. Adelbert Bryan, never known for hiding his light under a bushel or anything else, officially resigned his position as vice president of the 24th Legislature Thursday night, by means of a resolution removing him from the post.
He gained center stage at a Sept. 25 meeting when he announced he was resigning both the vice presidency and his committee chairmanship. He angrily denounced his colleagues at the time when they didn't support his legislation creating an economic recovery commission which he would head. He said then the Senate was "rife with hypocrisy," adding, "they want a political harlot and robot."
In a strange sequence of events Thursday evening, Bryan managed to get that very legislation passed by the same colleagues who hadn't supported it before. His resolution mentioned nothing about resigning as chair of the Economic Development, Agriculture and Consumer Protection committee. Should he do so, he would stand to lose a good chunk of money for his committee budget allotment, a figure never released by the Senate president.
Bryan now has retained the chairmanship, and the legislation gives him $650,000 with which to fund his Sustainable Economic Development Commission, which he will head. It comprises one other colleague of his choosing, the chairperson of the Economic Development Authority and two individuals from the private sector who participated in Bryan's 2001 Economic Development Summit in July this year.
The commission would include creation of a Virgin Islands Capital Market. It would outline "the ABC's for bringing a halt to the financial hemorrhaging in the V.I," Bryan said in September.
Bryan was adamant about resigning his vice presidency, which was approved by the full body with the exception of Sen. Norma Pickard-Samuel. Sen. Roosevelt David in Wednesday's session had asked the status of Bryan's dual resignations. He said he didn't think the body should "hold the senator hostage" to the positions. David received no reply to his inquiry.
"I have particular convictions and feelings," said Bryan Friday. "I don't feel like I'm being supported by this majority. I must be at peace with myself," he said, "that is the most important thing. I owe no apology for my actions tonight. Smiling faces lie and don't tell the truth."
Bryan stepped down from the vice president's chair after his announcement. He has been in the chair several times since his initial announcement, and has held committee meetings. While briefly occupying Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd's chair Thursday, Bryan ruled an amendment of Sen. David Jones' was not germane and couldn't be heard. Jones was astonished as Liburd had been allowing a host of non-germane amendments. Jones challenged Bryan and won. It was shortly after that, that Bryan introduced his resolution.
Liburd handled the resolution with dignity. "This resolution was brought by Senator Bryan. He has indicated his conviction. If he doesn't want to serve, he does not want to serve. We must move on from here." Liburd appointed Sen. Donald "Ducks" Cole to temporarily hold the vice presidency, trading seats with Bryan.
Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg said he would support Bryan's resolution, and raise it one. He said he wanted to offer an amendment to remove Bryan from his chairmanship and pay him the same as the lowest paid nonmajority senator. Liburd wouldn't allow the amendment to be offered.
