Taiwanese Government Makes $20,000 Donation To USVI To Aid With Hurricane Recovery

ST. CROIX — Lieutenant Governor Osbert Potter in his capacity as acting governor on Thursday at Government House, accepted a $20,000 check from the government of Taiwan, which will go towards the recovery of the territory following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Director General Philip T.Y. Wang of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami, presented the check to Mr. Potter as an expression of Taiwan’s support of the U.S. Virgin Islands during the hurricane recovery period.

The acting governor welcomed General Wang, along with other officials from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, who arrived in the territory for the official check presentation, according to the release. Mr. Potter extended his sincere appreciation to the government of Taiwan for their love and support.

During his remarks, General Wang recollected his initial involvement with the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1989 after Hurricane Hugo devastated the territory. He indicated that the government of Taiwan gave a $20,000 donation to the local government back then to aid in Hurricane Hugo relief. General Wang expressed his country’s long-standing history and continued support of the territory.

“On behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands, we are very grateful for this donation, which will assist us in our efforts to restore our islands to a better place,” Mr. Potter said.

General Wang stated that the donation was humble, but speaks volumes to Taiwan’s support of the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Also present during the ceremony were Senate President Myron D. Jackson, Senator Samuel Sanes, and Larry Kupfer of the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI). According to the release, Mr. Potter indicated that the check would be turned over to CFVI for management of the funds. The acting governor assured that the funds would not be deposited into the local government’s general fund.

Feature Image: From left to right: Senator Samuel Sanes, Consul Claire Chen, TECO in Miami,  Senate President Myron D. Jackson, Acting Governor Osbert E. Potter, Director General Philip T. Y. Wang of TECO in Miami, Vice President Edward Cheng of TM Cell, and Deputy Director Sara L. H. Chen of TECO in Miami. (Credit: Lieutenant Governor’s Office)