Remarks by Lt. Governor Gregory R. Francis at the 
de Jongh-Francis 2010 Campaign Kickoff 

July 14, 2010
Villa Morales Restaurant, Frederiksted, St. Croix

Three and a half years ago Governor John de Jongh and I embarked on a journey together. We set out to make our Virgin Islands a better place for all of us to live, and a wonderful experience for our visitors who come to our beautiful islands.

Upon taking office we were faced with many issues and many challenges and we realized that the problems affecting the Virgin Islands required participation from everyone: Not just from Governor de Jongh, Cecile, Cheryl or me – but from everybody. When it came to creating solutions we sought to include the entire community, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and you – I believe we have done that.

It has been an honor not only to be John de Jongh’s Lieutenant Governor these past years, it has also been a privilege to be a partner with John de Jongh in his Administration. And that is what it has been -A partnership. . . .one does not need to be much of a student of Virgin Islands history to know that has not always been the case. Within our partnership my opinions and recommendations matter; I say my piece, and my opinion is valued.

I, Gregory R. Francis stand before you, confident in knowing that we have a strong record of accomplishments to run on. So tonight, I humbly ask you the people of the Virgin Islands for your support and your vote to finish the job that we have started, and the job we are committed to do on your behalf.

I’m not going to list all of our accomplishments this evening. What is important to know is that we have made a positive difference in these Virgin Islands by providing strong leadership and supplying our commissioners and their hard-working employees, with the tools and resources they need to provide the care and services to our residents.

In the past, we often heard that in order for St. Croix to advance we would need to have a Crucian Governor. Governor de Jongh, the people of St. Croix don’t need a Crucian Governor – We have you.

We have more cruise ships and air arrivals coming to St. Croix than any other time that I can recall. In less than three years in office we’ve already had 103 cruise ships visit St. Croix. Next year we already have 104 scheduled to visit St. Croix. The cruise ships coming back to St. Croix was a promise made and a promise kept.

Before taking office, some of the big topics were sewage flowing in our towns, the roads were in bad conditions, and some residential neighborhood roads had not even been paved, or repaired, for up to twenty years or more. 

Ladies and gentlemen, drive around St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island or better yet, call your friends and family and ask them about the ongoing infrastructure projects in their communities today.

STX: Williams Delight; Estate Whim; Two Williams; Creque Dam (Rt. 58); Estate Campo Rico; Estate Cane Carlton; Altona Lagoon; and Concordia West.

STT: West End Road; Estate Thomas Infrastructure; Adel Gade; Garden Street (Route 79); and Kongen Gade.

STJ: Bordeaux Mountain Road; Kingshill Road; Round About – Cruz Bay; and Route 104.

Let me say again, these things were accomplished in less than four years. That is leadership! That is getting the job done. That is fulfilling promises.

Let’s talk about family values. This is a topic that is very dear to me. Governor de Jongh and I are very fortunate to have our wives support, and involvement. They are both passionate, and dedicated in their roles and this has been a tremendous benefit to the Virgin Islands. They do this work as non-paid members of the Government . . . and the work they do for their many programs comes from the heart.

Cheryl and Cecile oversee programs that are having a lasting impact in our Territory. Here are just a few of them:

Cheryl’s Initiatives include: Stop the Bleeding Foundation; Junior Achievement; PIDERS – Parent Involvement Drivers – subgroup that focus on the commercials; and she is an elected member of the 16th Virgin Islands Board of Education.

Cecile’s Initiatives include: The Children and Families Council; Healthy VI Challenge; CHADD – Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; Tennis in the Park and Schools; Camp Shriver; Special Olympics and Holiday Programs for Children.

In addition, they are both gracious hosts of community events being held at Government House and at Catherineberg. They are an integral part of a full team, working on your behalf, and I ask that we recognize them and give them a warm round of applause.

I recall prior to taking office in January of 2007, the parents, students, teachers, and school administrators were very concerned about our schools not being accredited. Some schools were on split sessions, teachers were displaced, and the physical school structures were in deplorable conditions. I can go on and on, but tonight I’m here to let you know that this administration chose to correct these problems.

Our schools are accredited.

There are no more split sessions.

Many of our schools structures are have been repaired.

Parents are no longer paying for student workbooks and materials that they should have, and we are not finished yet.

Ladies and gentlemen, once again, these things were accomplished in less than four years. We still have more work to do, and we are ready and eager to do it.

This is a political night and this is an election year, and I am here to tell you that John de Jongh and I are here before you tonight asking for your support. We need your support to continue to do our work, and to continue to do the best for our people. 

We are starting our campaign here tonight. I invite everyone on St. Thomas, St. John, and Water Island to join us tomorrow night at Walkers by the Sea on the airport road so that we can bring together all of our people in this campaign. We are a team. That is our strength. We are a team of thousands and thousands of Virgin Islands voters, who know that we must work together if we are to have the tomorrow we dream of, for our children and our grandchildren.

We are asking that you all make sure your friends and neighbors are registered to vote. We need to work together to say yes to our future. We need to work together for our tomorrow.

Ladies and gentlemen, this election is important because the continued prosperity, development and sustainability of these beautiful Virgin Islands that we all call home are important to us. 

Governor de Jongh and I pledge to continue working together on your behalf, because every Virgin Islander who lives here, or who choose to call the Virgin Islands their home, matter to us. 

May God bless you, and may God bless the United States Virgin Islands. Thank you! 

And now I will bring to the podium, my First Lady, my wife and better half, Cheryl Francis.