Passed Law

The Virgin Islands of the United States Centennial Commission Act (H.R. 2615) was signed by President Barack Obama and became Public Law No. 114-224 on September 29, 2016. It creates an eight-member Congressional Commission to carry out activities to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the date the U.S. Virgin Islands became an unincorporated territory of the United States.

The commission will comprise of the Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs or Designee; the Governor of the Virgin Islands or Designee; two members of the U.S. House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House; one member of the U.S. House of Representatives appointed by the Minority Leader of the House; two members of the U.S. Senate appointed by the Senate Majority Leader; and one member of the U.S. Senate appointed by the Senate Minority Leader.

In addition to being a resource to local governmental agencies and civic groups carrying out activities related to the centennial anniversary of the Transfer, the commission will also serve as a vehicle to renewed national discussions around equal treatment and status, as well as the other important conversations around our progress at the turn of a new century as American citizens.