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HEALTH STAND PAYS OFF, SENATOR SAYS

Nov. 23, 2001 – Sen. Lorraine Berry says the territory has the Senate Finance Committee that she chaired in the 23rd Legislature to thank for making possible a new bond issue backed by anticipated revenues from the territory's portion of the nationwide tobacco settlement.
In a release circulated Wednesday, she said the Public Finance Authority's successful floating of the $21.7 million bond issue a day earlier in New York "brings to fruition the former committee's goal to eventually bring state-of-the-art medical services to the Virgin Islands."
Berry cited "the courageous stand taken" by Sens. Roosevelt David and David Jones and then-senators Gregory Bennerson, Violet-Anne Golden and George Goodwin, saying they stood by her "withstanding weeks of abusive arguments and recriminations as they staunchly contended the monies should be utilized exclusively for health-related purposes." She also thanked PFA director Amadeo Francis and the local chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons for supporting that stand.
The V.I. share of the tobacco settlement is $18.4 million, payable over 25 years. The proceeds of the bond issue by law will be divided between the territory's hospitals and the Health Department.

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