Sen. Patrick Leahy, one of the most influential members of the U.S. Senate in the area of territorial affairs, is to be the keynote speaker at the 10th annual meeting of the Friends of the V.I. National Park.
Leahy is to speak on public-private partnerships at the meeting, set for 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, in T'ree Lizards Restaurant at Cinnamon Bay.
The Vermont senator is the second-ranking Democrat on the interior subcommittee of the Senate's powerful Appropriations Committee, and the ranking member of the research subcommittee of the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee. He is a friend of both the Virgin Islands and the V.I. National Park, according to John Garrison, president of the not-for-profit Friends organization.
Garrison described the relationship between his group and the V.I. National Park as a good example of public-private partnering. Leahy will also provide an update on pending legislation "which will affect the national park in general," he said.
Friends of the National Park was formed in 1990 to help preserve and protect the park resources. Last year, the group helped raise $2.3 million and established a park endowment fund.
Also on the annual meeting agenda is a State of the Park address by V.I. National Park Supt. Russell Berry Jr. He will cover the park's strategic plans, financial status, operations and land acquisitions.
Garrison will highlight the 1999 accomplishments of the Friends of the National Park, and awards will be presented. The election of officers and four board members will be held.
For more information, call 779-4940.