President-elect Joe Biden stands on stage with his wife Jill Biden as he gives the thumbs-up to the cheering crowd beyond the protective glass, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Wilmington, Del. By. AP PHOTO/CAROLYN KASTER
Governor Albert Bryan and Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett have congratulated President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their historic win, with Mr. Bryan highlighting the president-elect's ties to the territory (Mr. Biden has spent many vacations on St. Croix), and Ms. Plaskett vowing to work with Mr. Biden on important issues affecting the territory.
“Outside the historical implications of today’s election results, the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris is cause for celebration for many across this country and especially for us here in the territory," said Mr. Bryan. "As an African American with Caribbean roots, Kamala Harris, becoming the first woman elected as Vice President of the United States, represents a proud moment, and sends the message that there are no bounds to what young women of color can achieve.
He added, “It also inspires, again, the belief in the design of our democracy and that the full promise of America can be achieved when we all have the opportunity to participate. I expect that our nation under the leadership of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will begin the work of repairing the deep-seated divisions in our country that have been exacerbated by the politics over the past few years.
“For us here locally, A Biden-Harris Administration is promising, as President-elect Biden has a personal connection to the U.S. Virgin Islands and understands the issues confronting our community. We consider him our hometown president. We will continue to work diligently with the current administration on our recovery and other federal priorities and are excited to continue that work with the Biden-Harris Administration.”
Ms. Plaskett said, “This Presidential election has revealed what a completely divided nation we are, and the work ahead in the Congress and with the new Administration will be to unify this country and to Build Back Better. I pledge to work with President Elect Biden on his mandate from the American people.
“In President-elect Joe Biden we will have a president who will work to lower health costs, to create new jobs and bigger paychecks by rebuilding America’s infrastructure and a president who believes in science and medicine to crush the coronavirus. Most importantly, President-elect Biden will be a unifier who values faith, family and community, and who will work tirelessly to heal our nation and fight for those who have been forgotten and oppressed.
“I am so excited to work with President-elect Biden and especially with my good friend and Caribbean sister Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. They know that they have me as an ally in the House and I will count on them to be champions for the Virgin Islands in the White House.”
