Dec. 1, 2008 — Gov. John deJongh Jr. joined fellow governors in Philadelphia Monday to meet with President-Elect Barack Obama and Vice President-Elect Joe Biden to discuss challenges facing the United States during the economic crisis.
"Given the mounting economic challenges, the National Governor's Association approached the president elect seeking a meeting to brief the incoming president on some of the solutions that we believe will put our territories, states and the nation on the road to recovery," deJongh said, according to a Government House news release.
As chief executives, each governor faces specific challenges that urgently require the attention of the new administration, he said. The nation's governors have invaluable experience to offer to the nation's effort to craft workable short- and long-term economic solutions, he said.
From Philadelphia, deJongh will travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in an annual meeting of the Democratic Governor's Association to address both a post-election wrap up and the transition of the national government.
In his absence and in accordance with the Revised Organic Act of 1954, as amended, Lt. Gov. Gregory R. Francis will serve as acting governor until deJongh returns to the territory mid-week, the release said.
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