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    <title>Plaskett, Stacey RSS Articles</title>
    <description>Plaskett, Stacey RSS Articles</description>
    <link>http://plaskett.house.gov/</link>
    <lastBuildDate>Fri, 15 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate>
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      <title>CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ENGAGED ON WATER SPIRIT FREIGHT DISRUPTION AFFECTING VIRGIN ISLANDS SUPPLY CHAIN</title>
      <description>&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;For Immediate Release&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Contact: Tionee Scotland&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;May 15, 2026&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; 202-808-6129&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;PRESS RELEASE&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ENGAGED ON WATER SPIRIT FREIGHT DISRUPTION AFFECTING VIRGIN ISLANDS SUPPLY CHAIN&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;U.S. Virgin Islands&lt;/strong&gt; — Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-USVI) is actively engaged with federal authorities and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority following docking restrictions imposed on Water Spirit Freight Services V.I., Inc., a St. Croix-based cargo carrier that has provided island-to-island freight service across the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the broader Caribbean for more than two decades.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We all recognize this disruption poses a direct concern for Virgin Islands residents and businesses who depend on Water Spirit's freight service for the timely movement of goods between St. Croix, St. Thomas, Tortola, and San Juan.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Congresswoman Plaskett's office reached out directly to the U.S. Coast Guard and has remained in continuous contact with USCG and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority. The office has also reached out to Water Spirit to help determine what the best path forward is—pursuing all forms of engagement to ensure that the Virgin Islands has a voice in these discussions as authorities work toward a resolution.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Virgin Islanders depend on reliable cargo service — this is not an abstract maritime matter, it is a supply chain issue that affects real people and real businesses in our territory," said Congresswoman Plaskett. "My office has also reached out to our own local port authority for additional support. We will continue to monitor developments and continue our advocacy for a resolution that protects the uninterrupted flow of goods to and from our territory.”&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;###&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6070</link>
      <guid>http://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6070</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 15 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON PASSING OF FORMER SENATOR PEDRO “PETE” ENCARNACION</title>
      <description>&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;For Immediate Release&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Contact: Tionee Scotland&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;May 11, 2026&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; 202-808-6129&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;PRESS RELEASE&lt;/b&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON PASSING OF FORMER SENATOR PEDRO “PETE” ENCARNACION&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;U.S. Virgin Islands&lt;/b&gt; – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) today released the following statement on the passing of former Senator Pedro "Pete" Encarnacion:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;"I was saddened to hear of the passing of former Senator Pete Encarnacion. He was a man of deep faith and genuine kindness with a dedication to service in our community. Raised in a strong family with deep Virgin Islands roots, Pete was someone who showed up, served, and gave everything he had to the people of St. Croix.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;"His life was one of dedication across every role he took on. He rose through the ranks of the Virgin Islands Fire Service from firefighter to director and brought a genuine love of community to every assignment. As a senator in the 26th Legislature, he chaired the Committee on Public Safety, Homeland Security and Justice at a time when gun violence was ravaging our communities. He answered that moment with the same calm, steady resolve that defined everything he did.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;"Pete was a dedicated public servant, a devoted husband and father, and by every account, a man of quiet strength, deep faith, and an open heart. The Virgin Islands is better for his service.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;"My prayers and deepest condolences go to his wife Janie, his children, Kimberly and Khyle, and the many lives he touched."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;###&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div class="telerik_paste_container" style="border-width: 0px; position: absolute; overflow: hidden; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; left: 3px; top: 3px; width: 1px; height: 1px;"&gt;
&lt;p class="x_elementToProof" style="margin: 0px 0in 1em; color: #242424; font-size: 15px; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: center; font-family: Aptos, serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: inherit;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #000000 !important;"&gt;For Immediate Release&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Contact: Tionee Scotland&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;div class="x_elementToProof" style="border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px 0in 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: center;"&gt;May 11, 2026&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; 202-808-6129&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;p class="x_elementToProof" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; font-size: 15px; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: center; font-family: Aptos, serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 16pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82613 !important;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;PRESS RELEASE&lt;/b&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="x_elementToProof" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; font-size: 15px; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: center; font-family: Aptos, serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 16pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: inherit;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON PASSING OF FORMER SENATOR PEDRO “PETE” ENCARNACION&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="x_elementToProof" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; font-size: 15px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Aptos, serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: inherit;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;U.S. Virgin Islands&lt;/b&gt; – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) today released the following statement on the passing of former Senator Pedro "Pete" Encarnacion:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="x_elementToProof" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; font-size: 15px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Aptos, serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: inherit;"&gt;"I was saddened to hear of the passing of former Senator Pete Encarnacion. He was a man of deep faith and genuine kindness with a dedication to service in our community. Raised in a strong family with deep Virgin Islands roots, Pete was someone who showed up, served, and gave everything he had to the people of St. Croix.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="x_elementToProof" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; font-size: 15px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Aptos, serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: inherit;"&gt;"His life was one of dedication across every role he took on. He rose through the ranks of the Virgin Islands Fire Service from firefighter to director and brought a genuine love of community to every assignment. As a senator in the 26th Legislature, he chaired the Committee on Public Safety, Homeland Security and Justice at a time when gun violence was ravaging our communities. He answered that moment with the same calm, steady resolve that defined everything he did.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="x_elementToProof" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; font-size: 15px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Aptos, serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: inherit;"&gt;"Pete was a dedicated public servant, a devoted husband and father, and by every account, a man of quiet strength, deep faith, and an open heart. The Virgin Islands is better for his service.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="x_elementToProof" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; font-size: 15px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Aptos, serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: inherit;"&gt;"My prayers and deepest condolences go to his wife Janie, his children, Kimberly and Khyle, and the many lives he touched."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="x_elementToProof" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; font-size: 15px; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: center; font-family: Aptos, serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: inherit;"&gt;###&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class="telerik_paste_container" style="border-width: 0px; position: absolute; overflow: hidden; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; left: 3px; top: 3px; width: 1px; height: 1px;"&gt;
&lt;p class="x_elementToProof" style="margin: 0px 0in 1em; color: #242424; font-size: 15px; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: center; font-family: Aptos, serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: inherit;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #000000 !important;"&gt;For Immediate Release&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Contact: Tionee Scotland&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;div class="x_elementToProof" style="border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px 0in 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: center;"&gt;May 11, 2026&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; 202-808-6129&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;p class="x_elementToProof" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; font-size: 15px; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: center; font-family: Aptos, serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 16pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82613 !important;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;PRESS RELEASE&lt;/b&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="x_elementToProof" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; font-size: 15px; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: center; font-family: Aptos, serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 16pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: inherit;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON PASSING OF FORMER SENATOR PEDRO “PETE” ENCARNACION&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="x_elementToProof" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; font-size: 15px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Aptos, serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: inherit;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;U.S. Virgin Islands&lt;/b&gt; – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) today released the following statement on the passing of former Senator Pedro "Pete" Encarnacion:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="x_elementToProof" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; font-size: 15px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Aptos, serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: inherit;"&gt;"I was saddened to hear of the passing of former Senator Pete Encarnacion. He was a man of deep faith and genuine kindness with a dedication to service in our community. Raised in a strong family with deep Virgin Islands roots, Pete was someone who showed up, served, and gave everything he had to the people of St. Croix.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="x_elementToProof" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; font-size: 15px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Aptos, serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: inherit;"&gt;"His life was one of dedication across every role he took on. He rose through the ranks of the Virgin Islands Fire Service from firefighter to director and brought a genuine love of community to every assignment. As a senator in the 26th Legislature, he chaired the Committee on Public Safety, Homeland Security and Justice at a time when gun violence was ravaging our communities. He answered that moment with the same calm, steady resolve that defined everything he did.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="x_elementToProof" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; font-size: 15px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Aptos, serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: inherit;"&gt;"Pete was a dedicated public servant, a devoted husband and father, and by every account, a man of quiet strength, deep faith, and an open heart. The Virgin Islands is better for his service.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="x_elementToProof" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; font-size: 15px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Aptos, serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: inherit;"&gt;"My prayers and deepest condolences go to his wife Janie, his children, Kimberly and Khyle, and the many lives he touched."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="x_elementToProof" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; font-size: 15px; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: center; font-family: Aptos, serif;"&gt;&lt;span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: inherit;"&gt;###&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;</description>
      <link>http://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6069</link>
      <guid>http://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6069</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 11 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT RESPONDS TO REPORT OF MULTIPLE GUNSHOTS IN FREDERIKSTED</title>
      <description>&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;For Immediate Release&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Contact: Tionee Scotland&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="text-align: left;"&gt;May 9, 2026&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; 202-808-6129&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;PRESS RELEASE&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT RESPONDS TO REPORT OF MULTIPLE GUNSHOTS IN FREDERIKSTED&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;St. Croix, USVI&lt;/b&gt;&amp;nbsp;— Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) today released the following statement in response to a report of over 100 gunshots fired in Frederiksted, St. Croix:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"The ongoing violence in our territory weighs heavily on me. Every incident is a painful reminder of how much work remains for us.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Frederiksted holds a very special place in my heart and in the work of my office. We have seen this town endure years of neglect and deterioration — and we have also seen the resilience of the people who refuse to give up on it. I am continually inspired by the residents, business owners, advocates, and community members who show up every single day committed to making the town of Frederiksted better. My team and I stand with you, as we always have.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“Throughout my time in Congress, my team and I have consistently advocated for public safety, community investment, and regional security across the territory. Public safety begins long before a crime is committed, and I worked to ensure that USVI youth-serving organizations like the Caribbean Centers for Boys &amp;amp; Girls received $1 million in community project funding in 2024 to support effective youth programming. Organizations like these provide safe spaces, mentorship, and wraparound services for at-risk youth and are an integral part of violence prevention. I will continue to champion federal funding for community-based organizations on the front lines of violence prevention in the Virgin Islands.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“I have also fought to restore and protect federal behavioral health grants, including SAMHSA funding and secured $141,000 for Project Cultiv8te's after-school gun violence intervention programming for at-risk youth, $857,000 for St. Clair Institute, and $788,000 for Bush Tea and Therapy Foundation. I understand that trauma, untreated mental illness, and lack of behavioral health infrastructure are significant drivers of community violence.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“Additionally, I have long advocated for equipping the Virgin Islands Police Department with the resources necessary to address the unique security challenges of a Caribbean territory. This includes securing $3.9 million in federal funding to purchase three marine enforcement vessels to assist with drug-trafficking interdiction and safety patrols in the territory's waters.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Frederiksted and our entire territory deserves safety, investment, and the full attention of every level of government. I will continue to fight for nothing less."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;###&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6068</link>
      <guid>http://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6068</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 09 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT SECURES AQUACULTURE STUDY PROVISION FOR VIRGIN ISLANDS IN HOUSE-PASSED FARM BILL</title>
      <description>&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;For Immediate Release&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Contact: Tionee Scotland&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style="text-align: left;"&gt;May 7, 2026&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; 202-808-6129&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;PRESS RELEASE&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT&lt;/b&gt;&lt;b&gt; SECURES AQUACULTURE STUDY PROVISION FOR VIRGIN ISLANDS IN HOUSE-PASSED FARM BILL&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Washington, D.C.&lt;/b&gt; — Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) announces the inclusion of her amendment directing the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study identifying locations in the U.S. Virgin Islands suitable for the development of aquaculture small businesses in the Farm Bill (H.R. 7567), which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives on April 30, 2026.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The amendment requires the Agriculture Secretary to complete the study within 180 days of enactment and mandates consultation with the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources. The study will assess water quality, coastal access, infrastructure needs, and applicable environmental and regulatory requirements, laying critical groundwork for the growth of a sustainable aquaculture economy in the Territory.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"The Virgin Islands has everything it takes to be a leader in aquaculture — our waters, our geography, our people. What we have lacked is the federal investment and infrastructure assessment needed to turn that potential into real economic opportunity for our small business owners and our community. This study is a meaningful step toward ensuring that the Virgin Islands is not left out of the blue economy, and is the outgrowth of discussions with John Farchette while he was with the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR). I am excited about the possibility of deep-sea farming for export, the potential development of high-value fisheries (crustaceans) and mechanisms for effective sargassum management here in the Virgin Islands. I will continue to fight to make sure that federal resources and federal attention reach our shores," said Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Territorial aquaculture leaders welcomed the amendment as a turning point for the industry. Mr. Farchette, a leading voice on marine aquaculture development in the Virgin Islands, offered the following statement:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Thank you to the Delegate and her staff for the opportunity to comment on this most important subject. Aquaculture and mariculture in our region would go a long way to ensuring our economic future in the U.S. Virgin Islands. We are uniquely fortunate to have and be surrounded by the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. We currently have a seafood trade deficit of $20 billion dollars annually — most of that from China, India, and Ecuador. Promoting marine aquaculture helps in the resiliency of coastal areas, creates meaningful employment, grows our economic future, and brings a new industry to the U.S. Virgin Islands. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“Exportation of manufactured seafood products to the U.S. market would offset that trade deficit we currently have with Asian countries and Ecuador, shared Mr. Farchette. “Our waters can produce 25% more biomass than areas currently being fish farmed in the United States, and we have unique incentives to promote the exportation of manufactured products from the Virgin Islands. The U.S. Virgin Islands has established rules and regulations to govern this new industry and a VI 5-Year Aquaculture Plan pursuant to Act 6471 — we are currently the only Caribbean territory under the U.S. flag to have done so. We look forward to working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Commerce, NOAA's Office of Aquaculture, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other federal institutions to ensure that our environment and public health are protected as this industry grows. Again, we would like to thank Delegate Stacey Plaskett for her invaluable support over the years. God bless the United States of America and the people of the United States Virgin Islands."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Farm Bill passed the House on April 30, 2026, and now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration. If passed, it will&amp;nbsp;proceed&amp;nbsp;to the President's desk to be signed into law.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;###&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6048</link>
      <guid>http://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6048</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 07 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MOURNS THE PASSING OF FORMER SENATOR RONALD RUSSELL</title>
      <description>&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;For Immediate Release&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Contact: Tionee Scotland&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;May 6, 2026&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; 202-808-6129&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;PRESS RELEASE&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MOURNS THE PASSING OF FORMER SENATOR RONALD RUSSELL&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;U.S. Virgin Islands&lt;/b&gt; — Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement on the passing of former Senator Ronald E. Russell:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"It is with a heavy heart that I share my deepest condolences on the passing of former Senate President Ronald E. Russell Esq., a man whose life was a testament to the profound impact one person can have on an entire community.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Ronald Russell was, in every sense, a son of these islands. Raised by his beloved grandmother, the legendary educator Eulalie Rivera, he carried her commitment to education and community throughout his life.&amp;nbsp;His public service was deeply shaped by his roots in Frederiksted, his education as an attorney, as an athlete representing his home, and a belief in service to Virgin Islanders at every level of government. From his work as legal counsel to the Board of Education, the Public Services Commission, the Coastal Zone Management, and the Judicial Ethics Commission, to his distinguished tenure in the Legislature, culminating in his service as Senate President of the 29th&amp;nbsp;Legislature, Senator Russell gave the best of himself to his people.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"As Delegate to Congress, I was proud to work alongside him as he demonstrated his intellectual rigor and deep humanity. His passing leaves a void in our public life.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"To his wife, Royette, his children, his family, his colleagues at the V.I. Bar, and the community of Frederiksted that shaped him and that he served so faithfully, please know that you are in my and Jonathan's prayers. May God grant you comfort and peace, and may Senator Russell's legacy continue to inspire the next generation of Virgin Islanders called to serve. May he rest in eternal peace."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;###&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;
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" /&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
        &lt;/tr&gt;
    &lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;</description>
      <link>http://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6047</link>
      <guid>http://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6047</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT’S STATEMENT ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF FARM BILL</title>
      <description>&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;For Immediate Release&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Contact: Alayah Phipps&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;May 1, 2026&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; 202-813-2793&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;PRESS RELEASE&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT&lt;/b&gt;&lt;b&gt;’S STATEMENT ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF FARM BILL&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Washington, D.C.&lt;/b&gt; — Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;"The&amp;nbsp;Farm&amp;nbsp;Bill is an opportunity to stand with farmers and families who are struggling under the weight of rising input costs, skyrocketing grocery prices,&amp;nbsp;reckless tariffs,&amp;nbsp;and&amp;nbsp;the economic strain&amp;nbsp;the ongoing war. Unfortunately, the bill passed by House Republicans chose&amp;nbsp;instead to cement&amp;nbsp;the largest cuts to SNAP in history — $187 billion stripped from food&amp;nbsp;assistance&amp;nbsp;in H.R. 1 —&amp;nbsp;while&amp;nbsp;offering&amp;nbsp;nothing to reverse the&amp;nbsp;devastation already underway. More than 40 million Americans will see their benefits reduced or eliminated:&amp;nbsp;16 million children, 8 million seniors, 1.2 million veterans, and 4 million people with disabilities. &amp;nbsp;Virgin Islanders who rely on SNAP – our children, elders, veterans and hard-working families will feel these cuts.&amp;nbsp; This is not a policy choice. It is a moral failure. &amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;"Rather than making food more affordable for working families, Republicans used the Farm Bill to override the will of voters by preempting&amp;nbsp;state&amp;nbsp;food production standards that were approved at the ballot box and upheld by the Supreme Court. And they gutted&amp;nbsp;nearly&amp;nbsp;$800&amp;nbsp;million&amp;nbsp;from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program — one of the most&amp;nbsp;essential&amp;nbsp;tools farmers rely on to protect their land and manage rising costs.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;"This bill also fails rural communities. It fails&amp;nbsp;beginning farmers&amp;nbsp;and farmers of color, key groups necessary for the future of farming in the Virgin Islands. It provides no&amp;nbsp;new or&amp;nbsp;additional&amp;nbsp;funding for rural small business programs, strips legal set-asides for beginning farmers in USDA&amp;nbsp;lending, and&amp;nbsp;weakens the 2501 Program — the only USDA program specifically focused on supporting farmers of color. At a time when farm bankruptcies have surged 46 percent and USDA projects farm income to continue falling, this bill turns its back on the very people it claims to serve.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;"For the U.S. Virgin Islands and the territories, I fought to&amp;nbsp;deliver meaningful provisions to&amp;nbsp;this bill.&amp;nbsp;I am proud that included in the bill was my amendment which requires&amp;nbsp;the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study&amp;nbsp;identifying&amp;nbsp;suitable locations in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam for the development of aquaculture small businesses, including assessments of water quality, coastal access, infrastructure needs, and applicable regulatory requirements. This support from the Department of Agriculture to the Virgin Islands aquaculture development will provide substantive support to the development of this industry.&amp;nbsp; Aquaculture&amp;nbsp;represents&amp;nbsp;a real opportunity for economic growth and food security in the territories, and I will continue to push for these investments.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;"But make no mistake — a Farm Bill that does not support to farmers of color (who have been disproportionately impacted by prior discriminatory policy) or programs which provide resources to new and emerging farmers does not deserve our support. Republicans have openly&amp;nbsp;stated&amp;nbsp;their intent to come back for even more SNAP cuts through future reconciliation packages. We cannot accept a bill that treats food&amp;nbsp;assistance&amp;nbsp;as an afterthought while families are paying $310 more for groceries than they were just a year ago, and fruit and vegetable prices have risen over five percent,” continued Congresswoman Plaskett.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;Congresswoman Plaskett added, "I urge my colleagues in the Senate to develop a better, bipartisan farm bill — one that provides real relief to farmers crushed by falling incomes and rising costs, restores food assistance protections for millions of vulnerable Americans, invests in our rural and territorial communities, and is worthy of the American people's trust.”&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;###&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6046</link>
      <guid>http://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6046</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 01 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ANNOUNCES DISTRICT OFFICE CLOSURES FOR ST. THOMAS CARNIVAL BREAK</title>
      <description>&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;For Immediate Release&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Contact: Tionee Scotland&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;April 28, 2026&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; 202-808-6129&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;PRESS RELEASE&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ANNOUNCES DISTRICT OFFICE CLOSURES FOR ST. THOMAS CARNIVAL BREAK&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;U.S. Virgin Islands&lt;/b&gt; — In observance of the 2026 St. Thomas Carnival season, the district offices of Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett on St. Croix and St. Thomas will be closed beginning Wednesday, April 29 through Friday, May 1, 2026. All offices will be open on Monday, May 4, 2026.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;“Our carnival and festival celebrations are where our ancestors' stories live. In every parade costume, every pan note, and every Jouvert morning and parade day rhythm echoing through the streets,” shared Congresswoman Plaskett. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;“I would like to thank every vendor, every performer, every organizer, and every volunteer who poured their energy into making this year’s carnival possible. You are the backbone of this event, and we are grateful. Also, a very special thank you to our Virgin Islands Police Department and first responders for their service and for keeping us safe as we celebrate. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;“Happy St. Thomas Carnival to all!”&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;For immediate assistance during this time, please contact the Washington D.C. office via phone at 202-225-1790.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;###&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6045</link>
      <guid>http://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6045</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>PRESS RELEASE - CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MOURNS THE PASSING OF CONGRESSMAN DAVID SCOTT</title>
      <description>&lt;div&gt;
&lt;p paraid="1207493681" paraeid="{f0ad89c6-fc6b-40ee-9a60-02e25081fdac}{4}" style="text-align: center;"&gt;For Immediate Release&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Contact:&amp;nbsp;Alayah Phipps&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;
&lt;p paraid="945889285" paraeid="{f0ad89c6-fc6b-40ee-9a60-02e25081fdac}{12}"&gt;April&amp;nbsp;22,&amp;nbsp;2026&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; 202-813-2793&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;
&lt;p paraid="318751956" paraeid="{f0ad89c6-fc6b-40ee-9a60-02e25081fdac}{32}"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;PRESS RELEASE&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;
&lt;p paraid="508493143" paraeid="{f0ad89c6-fc6b-40ee-9a60-02e25081fdac}{38}"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;CONGRESSWOMAN&amp;nbsp;PLASKETT&amp;nbsp;MOURNS THE PASSING OF&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;CONGRESSMAN&amp;nbsp;DAVID SCOTT&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;p paraid="374180636" paraeid="{f0ad89c6-fc6b-40ee-9a60-02e25081fdac}{58}" style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Washington, D.C.&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;—&amp;nbsp;Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement on the passing of Congressman David Scott of Georgia:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;
&lt;p paraid="334045290" paraeid="{f0ad89c6-fc6b-40ee-9a60-02e25081fdac}{76}"&gt;"I&amp;nbsp;am&amp;nbsp;deeply saddened&amp;nbsp;by the passing of&amp;nbsp;my&amp;nbsp;colleague&amp;nbsp;and&amp;nbsp;friend,&amp;nbsp;Congressman&amp;nbsp;David Scott. For more&amp;nbsp;than&amp;nbsp;two&amp;nbsp;decades&amp;nbsp;in the United States&amp;nbsp;Congress&amp;nbsp;— and&amp;nbsp;nearly&amp;nbsp;fifty&amp;nbsp;years&amp;nbsp;in public service — David&amp;nbsp;dedicated&amp;nbsp;his&amp;nbsp;life to the people of Georgia and to the nation&amp;nbsp;he&amp;nbsp;loved.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;
&lt;p paraid="1905275207" paraeid="{f0ad89c6-fc6b-40ee-9a60-02e25081fdac}{150}"&gt;"David&amp;nbsp;was&amp;nbsp;a&amp;nbsp;trailblazer. Born on a&amp;nbsp;farm&amp;nbsp;in South Carolina and&amp;nbsp;educated&amp;nbsp;at Florida A&amp;amp;M&amp;nbsp;University&amp;nbsp;and the Wharton&amp;nbsp;School&amp;nbsp;of&amp;nbsp; Business,&amp;nbsp;he&amp;nbsp;rose&amp;nbsp;from&amp;nbsp;humble&amp;nbsp;beginnings&amp;nbsp;to&amp;nbsp;make&amp;nbsp;history&amp;nbsp;as the first Black&amp;nbsp;chairman&amp;nbsp;of the House Agriculture&amp;nbsp;Committee. In that role,&amp;nbsp;he&amp;nbsp;fought&amp;nbsp;to&amp;nbsp;protect&amp;nbsp;our&amp;nbsp;farmers,&amp;nbsp;strengthen&amp;nbsp;nutrition programs, and&amp;nbsp;secure&amp;nbsp;critical&amp;nbsp;funding&amp;nbsp;for&amp;nbsp;our&amp;nbsp;Historically&amp;nbsp;Black&amp;nbsp;Colleges&amp;nbsp;and&amp;nbsp;Universities.&amp;nbsp;His&amp;nbsp;legacy&amp;nbsp;on&amp;nbsp;that&amp;nbsp;committee&amp;nbsp;alone&amp;nbsp;touched&amp;nbsp;millions of American&amp;nbsp;families.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;
&lt;p paraid="620327738" paraeid="{c7ffbdf9-528e-44fc-bd48-17a580c297e1}{33}"&gt;"As a fellow member of the Congressional Black Caucus, I witnessed firsthand David's unwavering commitment to lifting up communities too often overlooked.&amp;nbsp;David understood that public service is not about title — it is about showing up for people.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;p paraid="962280475" paraeid="{c7ffbdf9-528e-44fc-bd48-17a580c297e1}{43}" style="text-align: justify;"&gt;"My&amp;nbsp;prayers&amp;nbsp;are&amp;nbsp;with&amp;nbsp;his&amp;nbsp;wife&amp;nbsp;Alfredia,&amp;nbsp;his&amp;nbsp;daughters&amp;nbsp;Dayna&amp;nbsp;and&amp;nbsp;Marcye,&amp;nbsp;his&amp;nbsp;grandchildren, and the&amp;nbsp;entire&amp;nbsp;Scott&amp;nbsp;family&amp;nbsp;during&amp;nbsp;this&amp;nbsp;time of&amp;nbsp;tremendous&amp;nbsp;loss. The halls of&amp;nbsp;Congress&amp;nbsp;are&amp;nbsp;quieter&amp;nbsp;today, but David&amp;nbsp;Scott's&amp;nbsp;legacy&amp;nbsp;of service,&amp;nbsp;faith, and&amp;nbsp;perseverance&amp;nbsp;will&amp;nbsp;endure for&amp;nbsp;generations&amp;nbsp;to come."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;p paraid="257842082" paraeid="{c7ffbdf9-528e-44fc-bd48-17a580c297e1}{157}" style="text-align: center;"&gt;###&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;</description>
      <link>http://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6044</link>
      <guid>http://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6044</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT HONORS THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF FORMER SENATOR JOHN A. BELL, SR. </title>
      <description>&lt;div&gt;
&lt;p paraid="2107806615" paraeid="{dfa98e23-f701-4a2c-9657-70e8c5279157}{4}" style="text-align: center;"&gt;For Immediate Release&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Contact:&amp;nbsp;Tionee Scotland&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;
&lt;p paraid="1950178970" paraeid="{dfa98e23-f701-4a2c-9657-70e8c5279157}{12}"&gt;April 21,&amp;nbsp;2026&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; 202-808-6129&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;
&lt;p paraid="1699137872" paraeid="{dfa98e23-f701-4a2c-9657-70e8c5279157}{28}"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;PRESS RELEASE&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;p paraid="336665723" paraeid="{dfa98e23-f701-4a2c-9657-70e8c5279157}{34}" style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;CONGRESSWOMAN&amp;nbsp;PLASKETT HONORS THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF FORMER SENATOR JOHN A. BELL, SR.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;p paraid="1451643164" paraeid="{dfa98e23-f701-4a2c-9657-70e8c5279157}{44}" style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;U.S. Virgin&amp;nbsp;Islands&amp;nbsp;—&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;span style="text-align: left;"&gt;Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement on the passing of&amp;nbsp;former Senator John A. Bell, Sr.:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p paraid="26589902" paraeid="{0d372286-e351-4419-aa1a-98dcd0792b00}{60}" style="text-align: justify;"&gt;"I am deeply saddened by the passing of former Senator John A. Bell, Sr., a man whose life was a testament to the power of transformation, service, and unwavering love for the people of the Virgin Islands.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p paraid="1482605412" paraeid="{0d372286-e351-4419-aa1a-98dcd0792b00}{66}" style="text-align: justify;"&gt;"Senator Bell's journey is one that will continue to inspire generations. From challenging beginnings, he rose through sheer determination and discipline to become a soldier, a counselor, a co-founder of the Mortar and Pestle and Unity Movement, and a six-term member of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, where he served with distinction as both Vice President and Minority Leader. His was a life that proved beyond any doubt that one's circumstances do not dictate one's destiny.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p paraid="1075598134" paraeid="{0d372286-e351-4419-aa1a-98dcd0792b00}{72}" style="text-align: justify;"&gt;"Throughout his decades of public service, Senator Bell championed justice, equality, and opportunity for all Virgin Islanders. He&amp;nbsp;lifted up&amp;nbsp;those around him,&amp;nbsp;stood&amp;nbsp;beside families in crisis, mentored&amp;nbsp;young people, and worked&amp;nbsp;tirelessly to shape a more just and&amp;nbsp;equitable&amp;nbsp;territory. His contributions are forever memorialized in the institution that bears his name, the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility on St. Croix,&amp;nbsp;a fitting tribute to a man who believed deeply in redemption and second chances.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p paraid="2036014131" paraeid="{0d372286-e351-4419-aa1a-98dcd0792b00}{106}" style="text-align: justify;"&gt;"On behalf of the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands, I extend my heartfelt condolences to former Senator Bell's family, his loved ones, and the many lives he touched throughout his remarkable journey. May his legacy of perseverance, compassion, and service continue to light the way for our community."&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;p paraid="738692707" paraeid="{dfa98e23-f701-4a2c-9657-70e8c5279157}{100}" style="text-align: center;"&gt;###&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;</description>
      <link>http://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6042</link>
      <guid>http://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6042</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT OFFERS CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF SENATOR HUBERT L. FREDERICK'S MOTHER, PRIMROSE FRANCIS </title>
      <description>&lt;div&gt;
&lt;p paraid="2107806615" paraeid="{6a64c3f4-c0f2-4a67-8000-4dca80c13f49}{4}" style="text-align: center;"&gt;For Immediate Release&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Contact:&amp;nbsp;Tionee Scotland&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;
&lt;p paraid="1950178970" paraeid="{6a64c3f4-c0f2-4a67-8000-4dca80c13f49}{12}"&gt;April 21,&amp;nbsp;2026&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; 202-808-6129&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;
&lt;p paraid="1699137872" paraeid="{6a64c3f4-c0f2-4a67-8000-4dca80c13f49}{28}"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;PRESS RELEASE&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;p paraid="2105238029" paraeid="{6a64c3f4-c0f2-4a67-8000-4dca80c13f49}{34}" style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;CONGRESSWOMAN&amp;nbsp;PLASKETT OFFERS CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF SENATOR HUBERT L. FREDERICK'S MOTHER,&amp;nbsp;PRIMROSE FRANCIS&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;p paraid="1451643164" paraeid="{6a64c3f4-c0f2-4a67-8000-4dca80c13f49}{44}" style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;U.S. Virgin&amp;nbsp;Islands&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;—&amp;nbsp;Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement on the passing of&amp;nbsp;Primrose Francis, beloved mother of Senator Hubert L. Frederick:&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;
&lt;p paraid="375424082" paraeid="{6a64c3f4-c0f2-4a67-8000-4dca80c13f49}{60}"&gt;"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Ms. Francis, the beloved mother of Senator Hubert L. Frederick.&amp;nbsp;A mother's influence is immeasurable, and hers is evident in the strength and character of the family she leaves behind. Ms. Francis’s commitment to raising a family grounded in faith, service, and love for community values is reflected in Senator Frederick's dedication to the people of St. Croix and the U.S. Virgin Islands.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style="text-align: justify;"&gt;
&lt;p paraid="404063991" paraeid="{6a64c3f4-c0f2-4a67-8000-4dca80c13f49}{76}"&gt;"The loss of a mother leaves a void that nothing can fill. I ask our Virgin Islands community to lift the Frederick&amp;nbsp;and Francis&amp;nbsp;families&amp;nbsp;in prayer as they navigate this profound loss and cherish the memories of a woman who meant so much to so many.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;p paraid="1004855950" paraeid="{6a64c3f4-c0f2-4a67-8000-4dca80c13f49}{82}" style="text-align: justify;"&gt;"On behalf of the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands, I extend my deepest sympathies to Senator Frederick, his siblings, and all who loved Ms. Francis. May her memory be a source of&amp;nbsp;comfort and&amp;nbsp;may the love of this community surround the family during this season of mourning."&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;p paraid="738692707" paraeid="{6a64c3f4-c0f2-4a67-8000-4dca80c13f49}{92}" style="text-align: center;"&gt;###&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;</description>
      <link>http://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6043</link>
      <guid>http://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6043</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>St. Thomas Academy Day</title>
      <description>St. Thomas Academy Day&lt;br /&gt;
March 17, 2020&lt;br /&gt;
Earl B. Ottley Hall</description>
      <link>http://plaskett.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=3617</link>
      <guid>http://plaskett.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=3617</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2020 22:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>St. Croix Academy Day</title>
      <description>St. Croix Academy Day&lt;br /&gt;
March 17, 2020&lt;br /&gt;
UVI Great Hall</description>
      <link>http://plaskett.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=3616</link>
      <guid>http://plaskett.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=3616</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Mar 2020 22:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>2020 Congressional Art Competition</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of district artists select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, DC. The winning artworks are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more information, please contact our District Offices at 340.774.4408 or 340.778.5900.&amp;nbsp; Artwork submission Deadline: May 4, 2020&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://plaskett.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=3606</link>
      <guid>http://plaskett.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=3606</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2020 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>USVI Department of Tourism Division of Festivals</title>
      <description>The USVI Department of Tourism Division of Festivals recently announced the dates for Carnival Virgin Islands (St. Thomas) from April 4, 2020 through May 3, 2020.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
March 7, 2020 - Carnival Kickoff&lt;br /&gt;
April 12, 2020 - Prince and Princess Show&lt;br /&gt;
April 18, 2020 - Queen Selection Show&lt;br /&gt;
April 24, 2020 - Village Opens&lt;br /&gt;
April 25, 2020 - Calypso Finals&lt;br /&gt;
April 26, 2020 - Motor Sports Sunday Boat Race&lt;br /&gt;
April 29, 2020 - Food Fair&lt;br /&gt;
April 30, 2020 - J'ouvert/Wet Fete&lt;br /&gt;
May 1, 2020 - Children's Parade&lt;br /&gt;
May 2, 2020 - Adults' Parade&lt;br /&gt;
May 3, 2020 - Fireworks&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*More dates to be added to the event schedule*</description>
      <link>http://plaskett.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=3604</link>
      <guid>http://plaskett.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=3604</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 04 Apr 2020 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>49th Annual Agriculture &amp; Food Fair</title>
      <description>The 49th Annual Agriculture &amp;amp; Food Fair of the US Virgin Islands (AGRIFEST 2020) will be held on St. Croix, USVI from February 15, 2020 through February 17, 2020, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.&amp;nbsp;Filled with many activities for the entire family, AGRIFEST captures fair goers and non-fair goers alike repeatedly. You&amp;nbsp;cannot afford to miss this year's fair. Come see what it is all about.</description>
      <link>http://plaskett.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=3603</link>
      <guid>http://plaskett.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=3603</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 15 Feb 2020 14:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Field Hearing on VOTING RIGHTS AND ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION</title>
      <description>The Subcommittee on Elections will be holding a field hearing on Voting Rights and Election Administration at 10:00am on September 4th at the Great Hall on UVI's Albert A. Sheen Campus.</description>
      <link>http://plaskett.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=3552</link>
      <guid>http://plaskett.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=3552</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 04 Sep 2019 14:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Veterans Office on Your Corner</title>
      <description>Designed to make receiving assistance on federal issues easier, Office On Your Corner brings our office to local neighborhoods.&amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Bring all relevant paperwork that will be needed to open a case.</description>
      <link>http://plaskett.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=3543</link>
      <guid>http://plaskett.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=3543</guid>
      <pubDate>Sun, 21 Jul 2019 19:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>USDA-NRCS Announces 2020 Sign up for Environmental Quality Incentives Program</title>
      <description>Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)&amp;nbsp;is a voluntary conservation program that provides financial and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers to help them install and implement conservation practices on eligible agricultural land.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;EQIP applications are accepted year-round, however, NRCS sets application “cut-off” or submission deadlines to evaluate, rank and approve eligible applications. The following are the cut-off dates for fiscal year 2020:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul style="list-style-type: disc;"&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;EQIP Period 1 cut-off date: September 20, 2019&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;EQIP FY 2020 Evaluation and Ranking deadline: January 24, 2020&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;EQIP FY 2020 Obligation deadline: June 12, 2020&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;</description>
      <link>http://plaskett.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=3537</link>
      <guid>http://plaskett.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=3537</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 15 Aug 2019 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Shifting the Wellness Paradigm </title>
      <description>Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett will be speaking at the &lt;em&gt;Shifting the Wellness Paradigm&lt;/em&gt;&amp;nbsp;event, a conversation on medical cannabis as health and wellness alternative.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;</description>
      <link>http://plaskett.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=500</link>
      <guid>http://plaskett.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=500</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 10 Apr 2019 12:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Art Competition: Artwork Submission Due</title>
      <description>We have started our official count down to the submission of artwork for the 2019 Congressional Art Competition.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
St. Croix participants, please drop off Artwork to the Office of Congresswoman Plaskett on 60 King Street, Frederiksted&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
St. Thomas/St. John participants, please drop off Artwork to the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts (VICA), directly across from the Fort Christian Museum in the Francois Building&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Contact Kyza Callwood for more information: kyza.callwood@mail.house.gov 340.514.9318</description>
      <link>http://plaskett.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=494</link>
      <guid>http://plaskett.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=494</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2019 20:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
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