Governor Albert Bryan Jr. Issues Proclamations for the Month of October

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has proclaimed the month of October Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Disability Employment Awareness Month and National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

Additionally, during the month of October, Virgin Islanders are being asked to recognize Fire Prevention Week October 6 through October 12 and VI Taxi Week October 20 through October 26.

Recognizing that domestic violence has a devastating impact on families and is currently on the rise in the Territory, Governor Bryan has declared October Domestic Violence Awareness Month. “It is important to recognize the compassion and dedication of the individuals and organizations who provide services to victims and survivors of domestic violence and work to increase public understanding of this significant issue,” Governor Bryan noted.

Advances over the years have helped to eliminate many of the physical barriers that once prevented disabled individuals from participating fully in the social and economic life of their communities. Governor Bryan is asking employers, schools, and other community organizations throughout the Territory to observe Disability Employment Awareness Month and to support employment efforts in acknowledgment of this year’s theme, “Access to Good Jobs for All.”

The Bureau of Information Technology provides innovative, cost effective, and reliable solutions to the network, application, infrastructure, and cybersecurity needs of the agencies and staff that provide services to the people of the USVI. As a result, Governor Bryan maintains that the security of cyberspace is a shared responsibility in which each of us has a critical role to play. In accordance with federal agencies that recognize October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Governor Bryan has declared October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month in the Virgin Islands.

Urging Virgin Islands residents to install smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home, the theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week (October 6-12) is, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you.”

In recognition of Virgin Islands/Puerto Rico Friendship Day, which is being celebrated on October 14, this year, the VI/PR Friendship Committee will join with the community in celebrating the 60th anniversary of VI/PR Friendship. The people of the Territory of the Virgin Islands and the people of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico have had a long and happy association as relatives, good neighbors, business partners, fellow Americans, and warm friends. It is traditional to designate a day on which to call attention to the remarkable bonds and cooperation between the peoples of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Because many blind people use a white cane, a mobility tool to help them learn about their surroundings. The white cane, in addition to being a practical mobility tool, serves as a symbol of dignity, freedom, and independence for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Governor Bryan has declared October 15 White Cane Safety Day and urges all drivers of a motor vehicles to take all necessary precautions to avoid injury to a white cane user.

As Indigenous People’s Day occurs on the second Monday in October in many parts of our nation, this year, Governor Bryan has declared Monday, October 14, 2024, as Indigenous People’s Day in the Virgin Islands. It is an occasion for Virgin Islanders of Indigenous Amerindian Caribbean Descent to reaffirm their deep ties to the original peoples of the Caribbean and the United States of America, and to celebrate their profound cultural connections with Indigenous people, their rich traditions, and their heritage shared with kin across the expanse of the Caribbean, the Americas, and the world.

USVI-BVI Friendship Day has been celebrated since October 21, 1972, as an opportunity for the Governments of the US Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands communities to appreciate and reflect on the close ties, which bind the neighboring territories and their peoples. In recognition of those ties, Governor Bryan has declared October 21st USVI/BVI Friendship Day.

Each year in the Territory, distracted driving results in more than 2,225 crashes, more than 635 injuries, and approximately 6 deaths. Buckling up and putting the phone down – two simple yet critical actions – will prevent crashes, the severity of injuries and the number of deaths on our roadways. Governor Bryan is urging all Virgin Islanders to pay attention while driving and has declared October 25 Buckle Up Phone Down Day in the Virgin Islands.

Because taxi transportation creates economic opportunity, alleviates congestion by reducing the number of cars on roads, and can be an economically and environmentally wise choice by reducing our consumption of fuel. Noting that the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission is deserving of special recognition, Governor Bryan has declared the week of October 20 through October 26 VI Taxi Week.

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 projects are completed as quickly as possible. Visit transparency.vi.gov

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