Opinion Pieces

A RE-IMAGINED VIRGIN ISLANDS Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett  U.S. Virgin Islands In the last few months, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced monumental awards for rebuilding critical infrastructure in the Virgin Islands related to destruction from Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. The announcement of over $928 million for the rebuild of Roy L… Read more »

SLEEPING GIANTS: THE IMPORTANCE OF FUNDING BLACK INNOVATORS This February, teachers, students, historians, and many others will extol the virtues of African American inventors during Black History Month. The remarkable inventions such as the first portable air conditioner, the gas mask, the automatic elevator door, traffic signs — were all invented by Black people.… Read more »

FOSTERING A CULTURE OF COLLABORATION IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY    As the Member of Congress representing the United States Virgin Islands who serves on the House Agriculture Committee and as Chair of the Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture and Research, I am deeply invested in the development of our rural communities and providing support to… Read more »

FIVE YEARS LATER: A TRANSFORMATIVE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS STILL POSSIBLE    Like many Virgin Islanders, September 6, 2017, is forever etched in my mind. For what seemed like an unending day, Hurricane Irma relentlessly pummeled the territory, and Virgin Islanders watched in mute shock as the Category 5 storm shredded roofs, uprooted trees, and shattered lives. Then, exactly… Read more »

SHARKS IN THE WATER: THE NEED FOR IMPROVED U.S. GEO-DIPLOMACY & TRADE POLICY IN THE CARIBBEAN As the United States prepares to host the Summit of the Americas next month in Los Angeles, the preeminent nation of the hemisphere has an opportunity to demonstrate forward leaning leadership by inaugurating a new relationship with its Caribbean neighbors. With 14 votes in the United… Read more »

Over the last year, America’s food and agricultural sectors have faced robust challenges. The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for a more resilient food system, which is why I’m calling for an investment of at least $40 billion for agricultural research and infrastructure, as well as agricultural innovation. The U.S. is a world leader in agricultural production, but we need… Read more »

This past week, we have inaugurated the 46th President and the 49th Vice President of the United States—Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris. Over the past few years, our beloved democracy has been beleaguered and challenged, and in the last few days the ideals and structure of our democracy have been physically attacked - incited by the outgoing President. It seems that not since the American… Read more »

The present moment is a defining one in this nation’s long arc toward justice. From that small patch of Minnesota pavement, George Floyd’s dying breath has become a wind of change, pushing so many Americans to bend the establishment and the public’s imagination toward true equality for all Americans. We are not only asking what needs to be done to create true justice, but also how… Read more »

Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI) released the following statement regarding a letter she sent to FEMA Administrator Gaynor expressing her opposition to the recent change to the reporting structure for the Joint Recovery Office of the Virgin Islands (JRO-USVI): “Today I sent a letterfile:  ///C:/Users/mmcquerry2/Documents/FEMA%20letter%2008.15.2019.pdf to FEMA… Read more »

Dear Participants of the 3rd Virgin Islands Advocacy Day: I would like to publicly express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for the time, energy and subject matter expertise the participants of the 3rd Advocacy Day in Washington DC voice our community’s issues on July 17, 2019. As you are aware, unlike most states which have large delegations of Members in Congress, I am the only… Read more »