Sept. 2, 2006 – The 26th Legislature's Perma Plaque Presentation Ceremony honored eight outstanding Virgin Islanders on Friday.
Senate President Lorraine L. Berry started the ceremony saying that the Virgin Islands needed to "honor all people who go the extra mile."
LaVerne Jones, Abdul Ali, Oscar Rosario, Esther Brow Moorehead, Darwin King, Dr. Yvonne Gordon Williams-Henry, Verna Elisa Christian Garcia and Dr. Kendall Griffith were each individually honored by a member of the Legislature.
Jones was the first to accept her plaque. Standing next to an obviously proud Sen. Ronald Russell, the lithe track star accepted her plaque, stating, "Expect big things." Jones, whose talent has taken her across the globe, is currently training for the 2008 Olympics to be held in China. Of her travels, Jones said she liked Ireland best. "It's green and reminded me of home," she said.
Ali, a staple on our local airwaves, accepted his plaque, stating there are several people in the community doing great things. "That's what's going to help build a strong St. Croix," he said. Ali commended the Legislature for its work and said it may just go down in Virgin Islands history as the best Legislature we have had. "The confidence placed in me will not easily be abused," he vowed.
Rosario, founder of Oscar's Refrigeration & Furniture, was represented by his son Edwin. For 42 years Oscar's business has been a staple of the community. Sen. Norman Jn Baptiste said his grandmother would not buy her furniture from anyone else. Morehead was represented by her daughter Mary, who said her mother had been promised this honor by the previous Legislature before her passing.
A cornerstone of the Independent Citizen's Movement, Berry also described Morehead as a leader in the community and a "grass roots" politician. Berry announced plans to rename the Frederiksted Mall the Esther Brow Morehead Mall.
King was also honored posthumously. His son, Cory, said he didn't remember much about the work his father accomplished with the Commission on Youth because he was young when the commission was at its height. King expressed his hope to "see more programs like the Youth Commission in the future."
Sen. Neville James added that the presentations and honoring of citizens like King were absolutely necessary, especially in this time of elections and campaigning. "If you can't honor your own," James said, "it makes no sense to serve your own."
Williams-Henry was honored for her work with the children of the community. Sen. Liston Davis noted that Williams-Henry has also been honored on the mainland in the Who's Who of American Women.
Williams-Henry said that she has always had a passion for her work, stating that "wisdom plus knowledge equals success for any youth in the community."
Griffith and Garcia were both honored for their work with the health care.
Griffith, an interventional cardiologist and Juan F. Luis Hospital medical director, was praised by Sen. Usie R. Richards, chairman of the Committee on Health, for "working hand in hand with prevention and diagnosis of pulmonary diseases associated with emphysema, bronchitis and asthma."
Garcia, represented by her friend, Joyce Thomas Heyliger, was commended for her work with the homeless, victims of child abuse and neglect, and HIV/AIDS sufferers. Heyliger thanked the Legislature on her friend's behalf, saying that it was wonderful that she was honored "in her lifetime."
Abdul Ali summed up the feelings of the honorees, stating, "We all have a talent and when you get an opportunity, you do what you can."
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