Today, we acknowledge Juneteenth and its profound significance. On June 19, 1865, the last enslaved African-Americans were freed in Galveston Bay, Texas, marking a pivotal moment in the fight for freedom. The lateral of this day is our own Emancipation Day in the U.S. Virgin Islands when slavery ended under Danish rule on July 3. 1848. Though separated by miles, our histories are connected through the shared legacy of slavery and the enduring struggle for equality and justice. Let us reflect on the sacrifices of our ancestors and be reminded of our historical fight for freedom.
59 years ago, the Voting Rights Act was signed into law, prohibiting racial discrimination at the polls. While MAGA Extremists are trying to take away this sacred right, @HouseDemocrats and I are working to ensure every American has access to the ballot box.
61 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and over 200,000 people marched on Washington to call for an end to segregation and demand civil and economic rights for all. Progress has been made, but our fundamental freedoms are still in danger. We must work together to protect the rights so many marched for decades ago.
As Members of Congress, we represent our country on issues of importance to the strategic well-being of our nation. As Representatives of the United States and the greatest nation on earth we have a responsibility to assist as stewards to the global well being. This week, I traveled to Senegal and Morocco with the House Intelligence Committee and had meetings with the Senegalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a roundtable discussion with NGO partners in Senegal on US assistance and partnership. We also discussed potential partnerships in the Caribbean (oil, transshipment, fiber optics, cybersecurity, manufacturing and trade). As a member of the diaspora, I like other descendants of African chattel enslavement have a “Joseph” responsibility to take the trauma and history of our ancestors being brought to the diaspora and make it for good for us all and our motherland!
As Members of Congress, we represent our country on issues of importance to the strategic well-being of our nation. As Representatives of the United States and the greatest nation on earth we have a responsibility to assist as stewards to the global well being. This week, I traveled to Senegal and Morocco with the House Intelligence Committee and had meetings with the Senegalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a roundtable discussion with NGO partners in Senegal on US assistance and partnership. We also discussed potential partnerships in the Caribbean (oil, transshipment, fiber optics, cybersecurity, manufacturing and trade). As a member of the diaspora, I like other descendants of African chattel enslavement have a “Joseph” responsibility to take the trauma and history of our ancestors being brought to the diaspora and make it for good for us all and our motherland!
As Members of Congress, we represent our country on issues of importance to the strategic well-being of our nation. As Representatives of the United States and the greatest nation on earth we have a responsibility to assist as stewards to the global well being. This week, I traveled to Senegal and Morocco with the House Intelligence Committee and had meetings with the Senegalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a roundtable discussion with NGO partners in Senegal on US assistance and partnership. We also discussed potential partnerships in the Caribbean (oil, transshipment, fiber optics, cybersecurity, manufacturing and trade). As a member of the diaspora, I like other descendants of African chattel enslavement have a “Joseph” responsibility to take the trauma and history of our ancestors being brought to the diaspora and make it for good for us all and our motherland!
As Members of Congress, we represent our country on issues of importance to the strategic well-being of our nation. As Representatives of the United States and the greatest nation on earth we have a responsibility to assist as stewards to the global well being. This week, I traveled to Senegal and Morocco with the House Intelligence Committee and had meetings with the Senegalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a roundtable discussion with NGO partners in Senegal on US assistance and partnership. We also discussed potential partnerships in the Caribbean (oil, transshipment, fiber optics, cybersecurity, manufacturing and trade). As a member of the diaspora, I like other descendants of African chattel enslavement have a “Joseph” responsibility to take the trauma and history of our ancestors being brought to the diaspora and make it for good for us all and our motherland!
As Members of Congress, we represent our country on issues of importance to the strategic well-being of our nation. As Representatives of the United States and the greatest nation on earth we have a responsibility to assist as stewards to the global well being. This week, I traveled to Senegal and Morocco with the House Intelligence Committee and had meetings with the Senegalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a roundtable discussion with NGO partners in Senegal on US assistance and partnership. We also discussed potential partnerships in the Caribbean (oil, transshipment, fiber optics, cybersecurity, manufacturing and trade). As a member of the diaspora, I like other descendants of African chattel enslavement have a “Joseph” responsibility to take the trauma and history of our ancestors being brought to the diaspora and make it for good for us all and our motherland!
Rep. John Lewis fought for democracy and the unfettered right to vote. As Extreme MAGA Republicans attack the freedom to vote, we honor his legacy by fighting to make the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act law.
89 years ago today, FDR signed Social Security into law. Now, 71 million Americans – seniors, veterans and children – benefit. While Extreme MAGA Republicans propose $1.5 trillion in cuts to Social Security, including raising the retirement age, House Democrats are fighting to protect it.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. To those who are struggling – please know that you are not alone, and that help is available. If you or a loved one is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential help 24/7.
89 years ago today, FDR signed Social Security into law. Now, 71 million Americans – seniors, veterans and children – benefit. While Extreme MAGA Republicans propose $1.5 trillion in cuts to Social Security, including raising the retirement age, House Democrats are fighting to protect it.
During my time in Senegal with the House Intelligence Committee, I observed the rich connections and similarities between Senegalese cultural practices and the culture and folklife that I and many other Virgin Islanders grew up with. Traditions of storytelling, dance, and hair braiding were brought to the Caribbean from Senegal and other West African countries during the slave trade. Today, those cultural imports can still be seen in the spiritual stilt dancing of our Moko Jumbies and the hair braiding practices in both Senegal and the US Virgin Islands. Teachers! As the school year begins, I encourage you to employ The Smithsonian’s Learning about Folklife: The U.S. Virgin Islands and Senegal (https://buff.ly/3LYpsn8) teaching guide to educate our youth on the rich history and complexities of the African and Caribbean diaspora. And of course, I took time for Goree Island to make libations to the ancestors and come back through the Door of No Return.
During my time in Senegal with the House Intelligence Committee, I observed the rich connections and similarities between Senegalese cultural practices and the culture and folklife that I and many other Virgin Islanders grew up with. Traditions of storytelling, dance, and hair braiding were brought to the Caribbean from Senegal and other West African countries during the slave trade. Today, those cultural imports can still be seen in the spiritual stilt dancing of our Moko Jumbies and the hair braiding practices in both Senegal and the US Virgin Islands. Teachers! As the school year begins, I encourage you to employ The Smithsonian’s Learning about Folklife: The U.S. Virgin Islands and Senegal (https://buff.ly/3LYpsn8) teaching guide to educate our youth on the rich history and complexities of the African and Caribbean diaspora. And of course, I took time for Goree Island to make libations to the ancestors and come back through the Door of No Return.
During my time in Senegal with the House Intelligence Committee, I observed the rich connections and similarities between Senegalese cultural practices and the culture and folklife that I and many other Virgin Islanders grew up with. Traditions of storytelling, dance, and hair braiding were brought to the Caribbean from Senegal and other West African countries during the slave trade. Today, those cultural imports can still be seen in the spiritual stilt dancing of our Moko Jumbies and the hair braiding practices in both Senegal and the US Virgin Islands. Teachers! As the school year begins, I encourage you to employ The Smithsonian’s Learning about Folklife: The U.S. Virgin Islands and Senegal (https://buff.ly/3LYpsn8) teaching guide to educate our youth on the rich history and complexities of the African and Caribbean diaspora. And of course, I took time for Goree Island to make libations to the ancestors and come back through the Door of No Return.
During my time in Senegal with the House Intelligence Committee, I observed the rich connections and similarities between Senegalese cultural practices and the culture and folklife that I and many other Virgin Islanders grew up with. Traditions of storytelling, dance, and hair braiding were brought to the Caribbean from Senegal and other West African countries during the slave trade. Today, those cultural imports can still be seen in the spiritual stilt dancing of our Moko Jumbies and the hair braiding practices in both Senegal and the US Virgin Islands. Teachers! As the school year begins, I encourage you to employ The Smithsonian’s Learning about Folklife: The U.S. Virgin Islands and Senegal (https://buff.ly/3LYpsn8) teaching guide to educate our youth on the rich history and complexities of the African and Caribbean diaspora. And of course, I took time for Goree Island to make libations to the ancestors and come back through the Door of No Return.
During my time in Senegal with the House Intelligence Committee, I observed the rich connections and similarities between Senegalese cultural practices and the culture and folklife that I and many other Virgin Islanders grew up with. Traditions of storytelling, dance, and hair braiding were brought to the Caribbean from Senegal and other West African countries during the slave trade. Today, those cultural imports can still be seen in the spiritual stilt dancing of our Moko Jumbies and the hair braiding practices in both Senegal and the US Virgin Islands. Teachers! As the school year begins, I encourage you to employ The Smithsonian’s Learning about Folklife: The U.S. Virgin Islands and Senegal (https://buff.ly/3LYpsn8) teaching guide to educate our youth on the rich history and complexities of the African and Caribbean diaspora. And of course, I took time for Goree Island to make libations to the ancestors and come back through the Door of No Return.
During my time in Senegal with the House Intelligence Committee, I observed the rich connections and similarities between Senegalese cultural practices and the culture and folklife that I and many other Virgin Islanders grew up with. Traditions of storytelling, dance, and hair braiding were brought to the Caribbean from Senegal and other West African countries during the slave trade. Today, those cultural imports can still be seen in the spiritual stilt dancing of our Moko Jumbies and the hair braiding practices in both Senegal and the US Virgin Islands. Teachers! As the school year begins, I encourage you to employ The Smithsonian’s Learning about Folklife: The U.S. Virgin Islands and Senegal (https://buff.ly/3LYpsn8) teaching guide to educate our youth on the rich history and complexities of the African and Caribbean diaspora. And of course, I took time for Goree Island to make libations to the ancestors and come back through the Door of No Return.
Workers are the backbone of America. Today and every day, we honor their contributions to our nation and recommit to protecting workers. Happy Labor Day!
No American should go hungry. The Food Stamp Act has helped tens of millions of working families, veterans and seniors access nutritious food for 60 years. I am committed to protecting this essential program.
Happy Back to School to all our Virgin Islands students! May God bless and protect each of you and I wish you all a productive and fruitful academic year!
Service members who were awarded Purple Hearts deserve the upmost respect for their sacrifice for our country. On this Purple Heart Day, we honor their service to protect our freedoms from enemy actions. We especially are grateful and proud of the sacrifice of Virgin Islanders who have received the Purple Heart.
We have another Caribbean-American Heritage Month and Black Music Appreciation Month spotlight! Our second feature is St. Thomas ‘ own Star Martin! Star Martin, St. Thomas native, has had a passion for performing arts since the age of 5. Star grew up to fulfill her dreams placing Top 5 in “Sing for your Life” and her callback round on “The Voice” in 2015. Now, Star has forged her path in the “Soca” genre with hit songs “Niceness (Remix)”, “Green Light”, and “Carnival Again”. We are #VIProud of Star Martin. #CaribbeanAmericanHeritageMonth #BlackMusicAppreciationMonth #VIProud #VIStrong
Did you know some countries have a six-month validity rule for your passport? Before you book your travel, make sure your passport is up to date. @travelgov has important information on international travel and passports to help you plan ahead. Visit travel.state.gov for more information.
