Happy Summer!
My team and I continue our fight and advocacy for Virgin Islanders and the voiceless as we work toward our vision of a more equitable and just society.
Thank you for your continued support! |
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR VIRGIN ISLANDS FARMERS |
“This program is an important acknowledgement of the past inequities perpetuated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and this country against not just black farmers but black businesses. This is an important step to rebuild trust with communities and create a stronger, more resilient farm sector." |
|
The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced it has issued payments to eligible applicants under Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act through the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP), which aims to provide financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending prior to January 2021. “I am grateful to the Virgin Islands USDA office here in the Virgin Islands, and my team for getting the word out to our farmers about this opportunity. 130 Virgin Islanders are receiving payments - both farmers who had or have farming or ranching operations and as well farmers who had planned to have operations but were unable due to USDA actions. Our Virgin Islands recipients will receive in total $3,688,430," said Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett. [Read more...]
|
“Seven years ago, our community’s infrastructure was devasted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, leaving our critical infrastructure decimated. Out of devastation came the opportunity to transform our territory and rebuild our critical infrastructure in a more resilient manner with profound funding from the federal government." |
|
Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett, alongside local and federal partners, hosted a summit to explore impactful insights and best practices for infrastructure rebuilding and energy issues of the Virgin Islands. The summit, entitled “A Reimagined Virgin Islands,” engaged local and federal partners, and participants in conversation through panel discussion topics including, local project management challenges and timelines; federal and local government policies, processes, and challenges; and using public funding to advance energy efficiency and economies. “The rebuilding summit demonstrates the crucial opportunity placed upon us particularly in light of President Biden’s declaration earlier this year, which cut Virgin Islands cost share requirements from 10 percent (equaling at least $1.5 billion) for critical rebuilding projects approved before September 30, 2024, and completed over the next 10 years, and 5 percent otherwise. I am extremely grateful to our local and federal agencies, as well as private sector partners for participating in conversations on the issues, best practices and providing insights initiatives and scopes of work to assist with the transformational endeavor of reimagining our island," said Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett. The summit included panelists and moderators from FEMA, the US Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and our many other local governmental departments and agencies. [Read more...] |
“This is an important step in advancing equity for the U.S. territories. While the efforts predate my time as a Member of Congress, I am proud to see our efforts come to fruition – and have the Department of Justice clarify their position and denounce the Insular Cases. I will continue to advocate for the reversal of the Insular Cases to ensure the fair treatment of the residents of the U.S. territories.” |
|
Congresswoman Plaskett shared the following statements on the U.S. Department of Justice’s response to calls from Members of Congress to condemn the Insular Cases:
“I am pleased that the Department of Justice has used this crucial opportunity to denounce the Insular Cases. In April of this year, I co-led a bipartisan, bicameral letter, signed by 43 Members of Congress, urging the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to condemn and cease reliance on the racist rulings of the Insular Cases that continue to negatively impact U.S. territories today.
“The Department of Justice shared their emphatic agreement that the racist language and logic of the Insular Cases deserve no place in the law of the United States. The Department of Justice, ‘unequivocally condemns the racist rhetoric and reasoning of the Insular Cases,’ and unambiguously agrees that ‘such reasoning and rhetoric are irreconcilable with foundational American principles of equality, justice, and democracy.’ The Department of Justice will ensure that litigators do not rely upon the racist rhetoric and reasoning of the Insular Cases.
“For far too long, this series of U.S. Supreme Court decisions have justified a racist and colonial legal framework that has disenfranchised the more than 3 million residents in the U.S. territories. The Insular Cases have denied residents equal constitutional rights, and any reliance upon these racist cases is indefensible. [Read more...] |
In June, my team and I hosted a virtual forum for Virgin Islands farmers where we heard from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's State Director of Rural Development, Lakeisha Hood, Acting Caribbean Area Director Frank Velazquez/District Conservationist Rudy O'Reilly of USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, and State Director of the Virgin Islands APEX Accelerator Frank Dixon.
Each shared the various resources and programs available to Virgin Islands farmers through their respective agencies. Click the image below to watch the recording! |
|
|
|
|
On the vibrant streets of St. John, Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett joined the hundreds of Virgin Islanders celebrating the island's 70th Carnival Anniversary. Congresswoman Plaskett was honored to participate in the celebration's convergence of culture, history, and community spirit! |
|
Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett called local baker Afrilasia Joseph-Phipps to order guava tarts to DC ahead of Tart Wars--- a first-time community event held on St. Croix, hosted by "West Gyul," that celebrated our beloved Virgin Islands treat. Congresswoman Plaskett shared this message over social media:
"There is only ONE tart I'm looking for and that's guava!! End of discussion. Shoutout to my Chief of Staff Angie, who is also #TeamGuava and one of the best tart-makers, Afrilasia Joseph-Phipps!" |
In July, my staff and I hosted Congress on your Corner to bring service providers to the St. John Community. We were joined by representatives from the Office of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Thank you to everyone who attended and participated!
|
"As we acknowledge National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, we must ensure that community practitioners from mental health, social workers, crisis managers, and law enforcement are educated on implicit bias and the social determinants of health that negatively impact their patients of color. Caribbean communities are impacted by hurricanes at an increasing frequency and severity, most recently including Jamaica, Grenada, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines impacted by Hurricane Beryl.
"We are no strangers to community-wide devastation, and after experiencing such a tragedy, understanding the state of mental health state is crucial," said Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett. |
"I have the honor of giving floor remarks on one of the Virgin Islands’ very own—the late Pam Richards, former VI Tourism Commissioner. A dedicated public servant, Pam’s unwavering service to the Virgin Islands and tireless efforts to enhance our culture and heritage leave behind a legacy and indelible mark on us all. Rest well, Queen. We will remember your legacy." |
June was #NationalHomeownershipMonth During Floor remarks, Congresswoman Plaskett emphasized that homeownership is key to helping families attain stability & build generational wealth.
"House Democrats will continue to work to advance legislation that makes that opportunity available to all—especially to communities like the Virgin Islands that have dealt with systemic and historical inequities over many generations."
|
2024 Military Academy Applications are now available! |
|
Sincerely,
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stacey Plaskett
Member of Congress
|
|
|
|
