Today, October 1st, we honor Contract Day—one of the most defining moments in Virgin Islands history. On this day in 1878, four extraordinary women rose up and led the St. Croix Labor Rebellion, known as Fireburn. Queens Axeline “Agnes” Elizabeth Solomon, Mathilda McBean, Susanna “Bottom Belly” Abramsen, and Mary Thomas fought against oppressive labor conditions that stripped workers of dignity and freedom. Their courage sparked one of the most powerful labor uprisings in the Caribbean. More than a century later, their legacy reminds us that workers’ rights—fair wages, safe conditions, and the right to organize—are not privileges, but fundamental human rights. The Queens lit a fire for freedom. Today, tomorrow, and every day, we keep that flame burning bright.
The 2025 Caribbean Day Party was an incredible celebration of culture, community, and Caribbean pride, which I hosted alongside my sister-in-service Congresswoman Yvette Clarke during the 54th Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference. 🌺🇻🇮🇯🇲🇹🇹 It was my honor to welcome Adam O to this year’s celebration, whose music and energy perfectly captured the spirit of our Caribbean heritage. I am grateful to everyone who joined us to uplift the richness of our islands and our people! ✨ #CaribbeanDayParty #ALC54 #CBCF
The 2025 Caribbean Day Party was an incredible celebration of culture, community, and Caribbean pride, which I hosted alongside my sister-in-service Congresswoman Yvette Clarke during the 54th Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference. 🌺🇻🇮🇯🇲🇹🇹 It was my honor to welcome Adam O to this year’s celebration, whose music and energy perfectly captured the spirit of our Caribbean heritage. I am grateful to everyone who joined us to uplift the richness of our islands and our people! ✨ #CaribbeanDayParty #ALC54 #CBCF
The 2025 Caribbean Day Party was an incredible celebration of culture, community, and Caribbean pride, which I hosted alongside my sister-in-service Congresswoman Yvette Clarke during the 54th Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference. 🌺🇻🇮🇯🇲🇹🇹 It was my honor to welcome Adam O to this year’s celebration, whose music and energy perfectly captured the spirit of our Caribbean heritage. I am grateful to everyone who joined us to uplift the richness of our islands and our people! ✨ #CaribbeanDayParty #ALC54 #CBCF
The 2025 Caribbean Day Party was an incredible celebration of culture, community, and Caribbean pride, which I hosted alongside my sister-in-service Congresswoman Yvette Clarke during the 54th Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference. 🌺🇻🇮🇯🇲🇹🇹 It was my honor to welcome Adam O to this year’s celebration, whose music and energy perfectly captured the spirit of our Caribbean heritage. I am grateful to everyone who joined us to uplift the richness of our islands and our people! ✨ #CaribbeanDayParty #ALC54 #CBCF
The 2025 Caribbean Day Party was an incredible celebration of culture, community, and Caribbean pride, which I hosted alongside my sister-in-service Congresswoman Yvette Clarke during the 54th Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference. 🌺🇻🇮🇯🇲🇹🇹 It was my honor to welcome Adam O to this year’s celebration, whose music and energy perfectly captured the spirit of our Caribbean heritage. I am grateful to everyone who joined us to uplift the richness of our islands and our people! ✨ #CaribbeanDayParty #ALC54 #CBCF
The 2025 Caribbean Day Party was an incredible celebration of culture, community, and Caribbean pride, which I hosted alongside my sister-in-service Congresswoman Yvette Clarke during the 54th Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference. 🌺🇻🇮🇯🇲🇹🇹 It was my honor to welcome Adam O to this year’s celebration, whose music and energy perfectly captured the spirit of our Caribbean heritage. I am grateful to everyone who joined us to uplift the richness of our islands and our people! ✨ #CaribbeanDayParty #ALC54 #CBCF
The 2025 Caribbean Day Party was an incredible celebration of culture, community, and Caribbean pride, which I hosted alongside my sister-in-service Congresswoman Yvette Clarke during the 54th Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference. 🌺🇻🇮🇯🇲🇹🇹 It was my honor to welcome Adam O to this year’s celebration, whose music and energy perfectly captured the spirit of our Caribbean heritage. I am grateful to everyone who joined us to uplift the richness of our islands and our people! ✨ #CaribbeanDayParty #ALC54 #CBCF
The 2025 Caribbean Day Party was an incredible celebration of culture, community, and Caribbean pride, which I hosted alongside my sister-in-service Congresswoman Yvette Clarke during the 54th Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference. 🌺🇻🇮🇯🇲🇹🇹 It was my honor to welcome Adam O to this year’s celebration, whose music and energy perfectly captured the spirit of our Caribbean heritage. I am grateful to everyone who joined us to uplift the richness of our islands and our people! ✨ #CaribbeanDayParty #ALC54 #CBCF
The 2025 Caribbean Day Party was an incredible celebration of culture, community, and Caribbean pride, which I hosted alongside my sister-in-service Congresswoman Yvette Clarke during the 54th Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference. 🌺🇻🇮🇯🇲🇹🇹 It was my honor to welcome Adam O to this year’s celebration, whose music and energy perfectly captured the spirit of our Caribbean heritage. I am grateful to everyone who joined us to uplift the richness of our islands and our people! ✨ #CaribbeanDayParty #ALC54 #CBCF
The 2025 Caribbean Day Party was an incredible celebration of culture, community, and Caribbean pride, which I hosted alongside my sister-in-service Congresswoman Yvette Clarke during the 54th Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference. 🌺🇻🇮🇯🇲🇹🇹 It was my honor to welcome Adam O to this year’s celebration, whose music and energy perfectly captured the spirit of our Caribbean heritage. I am grateful to everyone who joined us to uplift the richness of our islands and our people! ✨ #CaribbeanDayParty #ALC54 #CBCF
Eight years ago today, Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated our beloved Virgin Islands as Category 5 storms. Despite the unimaginable destruction, Virgin Islanders showed the world what true resilience looks like. We rallied together, rebuilt our communities, and emerged stronger. Today, we honor those we lost, celebrate how far we’ve come, and reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding our future. As we rebuild, we must remember our obligation to do so swiftly and responsibly. The changes in law that I secured in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 enable us to rebuild with resilient design standards rather than being constrained by pre-disaster conditions. The federal cost-share increase during the Biden Administration saved the Territory more than $1 billion in local matching funds. We have an opportunity and responsibility to ensure the more than $20 billion in federal funding is used to create an exponentially better Virgin Islands that is resilient. We cannot afford delays in the deployment of these resources—every day matters as we work to strengthen our defenses against future storms and protect our people. Speed and resilience are not competing priorities—they are both essential to our survival and prosperity. We remain VI Strong. 💪🏾🌴
As of 12:01AM EST on October 1, 2025, the federal government has entered a shut down. I know this creates uncertainty for families, seniors, federal workers, small businesses, and military families. I want to ensure you have the information and support necessary to navigate this moment. While many federal operations may pause, my offices will remain open. Please contact St. Thomas (340-774-4408), St. Croix (340-778-5900), or Washington, D.C. (202-225-1790) for assistance.
As of 12:01AM EST on October 1, 2025, the federal government has entered a shut down. I know this creates uncertainty for families, seniors, federal workers, small businesses, and military families. I want to ensure you have the information and support necessary to navigate this moment. While many federal operations may pause, my offices will remain open. Please contact St. Thomas (340-774-4408), St. Croix (340-778-5900), or Washington, D.C. (202-225-1790) for assistance.
As of 12:01AM EST on October 1, 2025, the federal government has entered a shut down. I know this creates uncertainty for families, seniors, federal workers, small businesses, and military families. I want to ensure you have the information and support necessary to navigate this moment. While many federal operations may pause, my offices will remain open. Please contact St. Thomas (340-774-4408), St. Croix (340-778-5900), or Washington, D.C. (202-225-1790) for assistance.
As of 12:01AM EST on October 1, 2025, the federal government has entered a shut down. I know this creates uncertainty for families, seniors, federal workers, small businesses, and military families. I want to ensure you have the information and support necessary to navigate this moment. While many federal operations may pause, my offices will remain open. Please contact St. Thomas (340-774-4408), St. Croix (340-778-5900), or Washington, D.C. (202-225-1790) for assistance.
As of 12:01AM EST on October 1, 2025, the federal government has entered a shut down. I know this creates uncertainty for families, seniors, federal workers, small businesses, and military families. I want to ensure you have the information and support necessary to navigate this moment. While many federal operations may pause, my offices will remain open. Please contact St. Thomas (340-774-4408), St. Croix (340-778-5900), or Washington, D.C. (202-225-1790) for assistance.
As of 12:01AM EST on October 1, 2025, the federal government has entered a shut down. I know this creates uncertainty for families, seniors, federal workers, small businesses, and military families. I want to ensure you have the information and support necessary to navigate this moment. While many federal operations may pause, my offices will remain open. Please contact St. Thomas (340-774-4408), St. Croix (340-778-5900), or Washington, D.C. (202-225-1790) for assistance.
As of 12:01AM EST on October 1, 2025, the federal government has entered a shut down. I know this creates uncertainty for families, seniors, federal workers, small businesses, and military families. I want to ensure you have the information and support necessary to navigate this moment. While many federal operations may pause, my offices will remain open. Please contact St. Thomas (340-774-4408), St. Croix (340-778-5900), or Washington, D.C. (202-225-1790) for assistance.
As of 12:01AM EST on October 1, 2025, the federal government has entered a shut down. I know this creates uncertainty for families, seniors, federal workers, small businesses, and military families. I want to ensure you have the information and support necessary to navigate this moment. While many federal operations may pause, my offices will remain open. Please contact St. Thomas (340-774-4408), St. Croix (340-778-5900), or Washington, D.C. (202-225-1790) for assistance.
On this day in 1787, the United States Constitution was signed. In the face of unprecedented attacks on our rights and freedoms, I am committed to upholding our Constitution and defending American values.
Thank you to everyone who joined our virtual check-in and tele-town hall! These conversations are essential to ensuring I hear directly from you about the issues that matter most to our Virgin Islands— from federal updates and legislative priorities to your questions, concerns, and ideas. Take a look at the recap below highlighting our legislative discussion!
America’s plentiful public lands make our country unique. In all corners of the nation, parks, refuges, and monuments support local ecosystems and economies alike. On National Public Lands Day, we recommit to protecting these precious resources.
Wishing all those celebrating in the Virgin Islands a happy, healthy and sweet new year. Shanah Tovah U’metukah!
