Governor Cyril E. King Day Proclaimed in US Virgin Islands

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UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 6, 2011

Gubernatorial Proclamation - Governor Cyril Emmanuel King Day

Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. has proclaimed April 7, 2011 as “Cyril Emmanuel King Day” in the Virgin Islands to recognize the outstanding public service of this notable Virgin Islander. Cyril King was born on St. Croix on April 7, 1921 and was the second elected governor of the territory.

A PROCLAMATION

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS

TO PROCLAIM GOVERNOR CYRIL EMMANUEL KING DAY IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

WHEREAS, April 7th of each year has been set aside, pursuant to Act. No. 5147, as "Cyril Emmanuel King Day" to recognize the outstanding public service of this great Virgin Islander; and

WHEREAS, Cyril Emmanuel King was born on St Croix on April 7, 1921, received his early education at St. Ann's Catholic School at Barren spot and graduated from St. Mary's Catholic School in Christiansted, St. Croix; and

WHEREAS, Cyril E. King served with United States Army Pacific Theatre troops in Hawaii, attaining the rank of Sergeant; and

WHEREAS, upon being discharged from the military, Cyril King entered American University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree; and

WHEREAS, upon graduation, Cyril E. King was employed as an aide to Senator Hubert Humphrey of Minnesota, the first blackman to serve on the staff of a United States Senator, serving for twelve years and subsequently attained the position of Senior Staff Member; and

WHEREAS, Cyril E. King was appointed by President John F. Kennedy to serve as Government Secretary of the Virgin Islands Government in 1961; and

WHEREAS, in 1969, Cyril E. King was appointed as Acting Governor of the Virgin Islands and in 1972 elected Senator from the St. Thomas-St. John District; and

WHEREAS, in 1974, Cyril E. King became the second elected Governor of the Virgin Islands; and

WHEREAS, King received numerous awards for his outstanding community service including Commander First Class of the Order of Danneborg and the Silver Cross by H.M. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, and honorory Doctor of Laws Degree from Roger Williams College in Bristol, Rhode Island and the first Hilbert College, Buffalo, New York award for his outstanding humanitarian work; and

WHEREAS, the airport on St. Thomas was renamed "The Cyril E. King Airport" in honor of this outstanding native son; and

WHEREAS, through the dedicated efforts of Governor Cyril E. King, the social, political and economic standards in the Territory were enhanced;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, John P. deJonqh, Jr., Governor of the United States Virgin Is1ands, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Revised Organic Act of 1954, as amended, do hereby proclaim Thursday, April 7, 2011, as "Governor Cyril Emmanuel King Day" in the Virgin Islands in honor of the outstanding public service of our second elected Governor. I call upon the residents of the Virgin Islands to join with me in this observance.

In addition, pursuant to Title 1, Section 187, I am directing the Commissioner of Education to conduct appropriate ceremonies in the Territory's School in honor of Governor Cyril E. King, including dissemination of biographical information of this outstanding native son.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and cause the Seal of the Government of the Virgin Islands of the United States to be affixed at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, this 1st day of March, 2011, A.D.

John P. de Jongh, Jr.

Governor

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