The 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands met during an organizational session at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall, where lawmakers adopted a resolution to structure the body, elect officers, and establish committee leadership.
Sen. Milton E. Potter, elected Senate President, described his appointment as “humbling” and emphasized the collective responsibility of lawmakers to work collaboratively. “We stand on the threshold of a new chapter in the United States Virgin Islands. We form a leadership callaloo, a different perspective,” Potter said. He acknowledged the challenges ahead but expressed confidence in their ability to address them, according to the press release.
Bill No. 36-0001, which outlines the organization of the Legislature, passed with favorable votes. The majority caucus consists of Marvin A. Blyden, Angel L. Bolques Jr., Ray Fonseca, Novelle E. Francis Jr., Hubert L. Frederick, Kenneth L. Gittens, Marise C. James, Franklin D. Johnson, Carla J. Joseph, Clifford A. Joseph Sr., Avery L. Lewis, Milton E. Potter and Kurt A. Vialet, the press release stated.
Sen. Kenneth L. Gittens will serve as vice president, Sen. Avery L. Lewis as secretary and Sen. Kurt A. Vialet as majority leader. Additional leadership positions include Sen. Marise C. James as Secretary of Intergovernmental Relations and Territorial Affairs, Sen. Ray Fonseca as Liaison to the U.S. Interior and Insular Affairs Department and Sen. Kenneth L. Gittens is elected Liaison to the White House., the release stated.
Committee assignments were also finalized. The Rules and Judiciary Committee will be chaired by Sen. Carla J. Joseph and vice-chaired by Sen. Kenneth L. Gittens. The Budget, Appropriations, and Finance Committee will be chaired by Sen. Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and vice-chaired by Sen. Marvin A. Blyden. The Health, Hospitals, and Human Services Committee will be chaired by Sen. Ray Fonseca and vice-chaired by Sen. Hubert L. Frederick. The Education and Workforce Development Committee will be chaired by Sen. Kurt A. Vialet and vice-chaired by Sen. Avery L. Lewis. The Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure, and Planning Committee will be chaired by Sen. Marise C James and vice-chaired by Senate President Milton E. Potter, the release stated.
The Economic Development and Agriculture Committee will be chaired by Sen. Hubert L. Frederick and vice-chaired by Sen. Angel L. Bolques Jr. The Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety Committee will be chaired by Sen. Clifford Joseph Sr. and vice-chaired by Sen. Ray Fonseca. The Government Operations, Veterans Affairs and Consumer Protection Committee will be chaired by Sen. Avery L. Lewis and vice-chaired by Sen. Novelle E. Francis Jr. The Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications Committee will be chaired by Sen. Marvin A. Blyden and vice-chaired by Sen. Clifford Joseph. The Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks Committee will be chaired by Sen. Angel L. Bolques Jr. and vice-chaired by Sen. Carla J. Joseph, it said.
Lawmakers also approved Bill No. 36-0002, adopting the rules governing the Legislature. The session adjourned with plans to reconvene on Jan. 27 for the State of the Territory Address, it said.
The new senators of the 36th Legislature include Marvin A. Blyden, Angel L. Bolques Jr., Dwayne M. Degraff, Ray Fonseca, Novelle E. Francis Jr., Alma Francis Heyliger, Hubert L. Frederick, Kenneth L. Gittens, Marise C. James, Franklin D. Johnson, Carla J. Joseph, Clifford A. Joseph Sr., Avery L. Lewis, Milton E. Potter and Kurt A. Vialet.
