U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – Governor Albert Bryan Jr. is paying homage to two Virgin Islands icons during the month of August and has issued proclamations that recognize indigenous Virgin Islanders, servicemembers, farmers, human resources professionals and that support community-building activities.
Governor Bryan proclaimed August 7, 2024, “Melvin Evans Day” in the U.S. Virgin Islands in recognition of Governor Melvin H. Evans, who was born on August 7, 1917, in Christiansted, St. Croix. Governor Evans made history by being the last appointed governor of the US Virgin Islands by President Richard M. Nixon and the first popularly elected governor of the US Virgin Islands, serving from 1971 to 1975.
Governor Bryan proclaimed August 3, 2024, “Edward Wilmoth Blyden Day” in observance of the native son’s 192nd birthday. Blyden, who was born on St. Thomas on Aug. 3, 1893, was an educator who espoused the philosophy of negritude, Pan-Africanism, African nationalism, and African Christian theology. Blyden emphasized the need for unity among Black people and his accomplishments are an example of the linkages between Virgin Islanders and the people of Africa.
Recognizing August 6, 2024, as “National Night Out” in the U.S., Governor Bryan proclaimed August 3 “V.I. National Night Out.” The Law Enforcement Planning Commission and the U.S. Virgin Islands Juvenile Justice State Advisory Board (SAG) are sponsoring territory-wide community-building campaigns including a Gospel Explosion on St. Thomas slated for August 10 and Gospel Explosions on St. Croix and St. John in September.
Governor Bryan proclaimed the annual observance of “International Day for the World’s Indigenous People” on August 9, 2024, as an occasion for Virgin Islanders of Indigenous Amerindian Caribbean descent to reaffirm their patriotic ties to the original peoples of the Caribbean and the United States of America.
Acknowledging that farmers markets contribute to the economic and social vitality of communities, Governor Bryan has proclaimed the week of August 4-10, 2024, “National Farmers Market Week in the US Virgin Islands.” In his proclamation, Governor Bryan wrote that farmers markets continue to provide access to safe and nutritious food in the face of market disruptions while also shortening supply chains and reinforcing a competitive food system benefitting producers and consumers.
In his proclamation declaring August 7, 2024, as “Purple Heart Day” in the US Virgin Islands, Governor Bryan noted that more than 1.8 million Purple Heart medals have been presented to servicemembers since the award was created in 1782. “We remember and salute the servicemen and servicewomen who have been wounded or killed in action as well as the families who also bear the emotional and physical loss because of war,” Governor Bryan wrote.
Noting that the U.S.Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands are home to the newest chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management and the first in SHRM’s history to blend two sovereign nationalities as one chapter, Governor Bryan proclaimed the week of August 19-23, 2024, as “SHRM Virgin Islands HR Week” in the US Virgin Islands.
The Bryan-Roach Administration is investing in the Territory’s people, infrastructure and future through transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government and ensuring that recovery pro-jects are completed as quickly as possible. Visit vi.gov for more information.
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