The United Nations Association of the Virgin Islands will host a panel discussion on “Implications of Pending Federal Legislation on the Self-Determination of the U.S. Virgin Islands” from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20, at the V.I. Cultural Heritage Institute in the J. Antonio Jarvis House, St. Thomas.
The panelists will explore several legislative measures that have been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and designed to advance political development in U.S. territories, including a measure to fund educational programs in the territories on political status options. This bill was approved by the House last December and is awaiting Senate action. A similar measure authorizing a federally-sanctioned, self-determination process for the people of Puerto Rico leading to a referendum on political status options will also be examined. That bill is awaiting final passage by the House.
Panelists will also review the implications of the proposed constitutional amendment extending the presidential vote to the territories and the District of Columbia as well as legislation for greater territorial representation in the House of Representatives. The participants will be Congressional Delegate Donna Christensen, International Advisor on Governance Dr. Carlyle Corbin, Attorney and former Director of Public Education for the V.I. Constitution Tregenza Roach, and UVI Professor of Political Science Dr. Malik Sekou. The panel will be moderated by the President of the United Nations Association of the Virgin Islands, Attorney Judith L. Bourne.