Marching bands, singing and bright sunlight greeted the 15 members of the 24th Legislature on Monday morning as they were sworn in by Maria Cabret, presiding judge of the Territorial Court, at Emancipation Garden.
The David Monsanto bandstand was almost overflowing with celebrants, including senators' families, friends, supporters, Congressional Delegate Donna Christian Christensen — recently elected for a third term — and Lt Gov. Gerard Luz James II.
After the invocation by the Rev. Carlyle Sampson, pastor of the Lutheran Church of St. John, and the Posting of Colors by the Ivanna Eudora Kean High JROTC, the ceremony turned musical with a rousing rendition of the Virgin Islands National Anthem sung by all, capped by a wonderful version of "It's a Wonderful World" sung by Malcolm Evans.
Master of ceremonies Levron "Pops" Sarauw noted the significance of the day, the swearing in of the first Legislature of the 21st century, as about 250 friends, community groups, school children and even a sprinkling of tourists looked on. A row reserved for the "Tortola Delegation" was conspicuously empty.
Spotted throughout the audience were bright yellow and black signs, each bearing only one word: economy, agriculture, tourism, education, housing, business, transportation and safety. Stephanie Scott-Williams, head of Women for Positive Change, a group she organized last year, said, "We want to just focus on the issues, and these are the issues." A group of students from Evelyn Marcelli Elementary School were proudly holding up the "education" sign.
As the ceremony ended, there was much congratulating, high spirits and a genial air as the participants and their congregation filed over to the Senate building for the newly elected senators' opening session and a complementary lunch in the legislative courtyard.
The courtyard was bustling with activity under several white tents sheltering a huge buffet, along with a giant size TV for those not able to see the session firsthand. Seats in the gallery were by invitation only.
