St. Croix, Virgin Islands (U.S.)— On January 11, 2021, Genevieve Whitaker was sworn-in as Senator from the St. Croix District to the 34th Legislature of the Virgin Islands (U.S.). Following the Swearing-in ceremony, during the Organizing Session, Senator Whitaker was appointed as the Legislative Secretary, becoming the 8th female senator and youngest to hold that position at 37 years of age. Also, Senator Whitaker was appointed Chair of the Education and Workforce Development Committee, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Housing, Transportation & Telecommunications, Liaison to the U.S. Department of Interior & Office of Insular Affairs and is a Member of the Committee on Rules & Judiciary, Committee on Disaster Recovery and Infrastructure, and serves on the Committee of the Whole.
“As I reflect on my first week in office, I join the members of my staff and community in recognizing that January 18th, 2021 marks the 92nd birthday of a great leader who has inspired many, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In honoring Dr. King, this following quote is instructive, as he once stated that ‘everyone can be great, because everyone can serve[,]’ ” stated Senator Genevieve Whitaker. Notably, Senator Whitaker held her first caucus meeting as the Chair of the Committee on Education and Workforce Development. The following Dr. King quote comes to mind as part of Senator Whitaker’s leadership style, “ a genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.” In that spirit, Senator Whitaker as Chair in collaboration with her Committee members sent out a letter to the Commissioner of Education, Racquel Berry Benjamin to address the concerns over the reopening of our public schools (now delayed reopen between February or March, no specific date has been provided, as per Commissioner Benjamin).
Other outreach efforts entailed engagements, with respective Boards as they pertain to the education of our children, this includes the Board of Education, the Career and Technical Education Board as well as the Department of Labor’s Workforce Development Board. Senator Whitaker is also focused on issues surrounding housing and has already been out in the field, addressing housing concerns.
In closing, Senator Whitaker and her staff engaged in a productive and exciting week of service and is proud to share that her initial offered legislation addresses issues surrounding youth development in the context of crime prevention, recreational facilities, public health, economic development, and construction as well as the legislature infrastructure. Senator Whitaker thanks the Creator for the blessings bestowed as she has entered this journey with a special thank you to the people of St. Croix in celebration of leadership and honor of Dr. King,’s memory. Senator Whitaker and members of her staff encourage you to celebrate Dr. King Day by engaging in an activity involving giving back to your community. “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.” Dr. Martin Luther King
Photo Source: https://hallmarkuniversity.edu/remembering-dr-martin-luther-king-jr/