ST. CROIX -- In his first visit to the USVI, accompanied by his wife and other federal government officials, Vice President Mike Pence restated the Trump administration's committment to sticking with the U.S .Virgin Islands until the American territory fully recovers from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, providing not only disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but also recovery help, including assistance to rebuild the islands.
Hurricane Irma wreaked havoc on St. Thomas and St. John, while Hurricane Maria devastated St. Croix. The storms brought the entire territory to its knees, slamming all four -- including Water Island -- at the highest category. For Mr. Pence, who received an aerial tour of the entire territory, seeing firsthand the vast damage caused by the storms was "overwhelming," he said, adding, "but the resilience of the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands is even greater. We will be with you every day until the Virgin Islands comes all the way back."
Mr. Pence said Mr. Trump wanted to make the trip to the territory, but logistics would not permit. "He wanted us to be here in the U.S. Virgin Islands to say very plainly and simply we are with you today, we will be with you tomorrow, we will be with you every day until the U.S. Virgin Islands comes all the way back," the vice president said. As part of his stops, Mr. Pence visited the Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Upper Love, where he met with parishioners and clergy, with Mr. Pence's wife, Karen, who the vice president calls the family's "prayer captain," leading congregants in prayer.
Mr. Pence also visited the shelter at the St. Croix Education Complex, where he spoke with the shelter's management as well as residents and children.
Governor Kenneth Mapp, as he's done many times, reaffirmed his gratitude to the Trump administration and its commitment to help the USVI rebuild. And the governor said he was impressed by Mr. Pence's sincerity as the vice president surveyed the damaged schools, hospitals and battered homes. "I was gratified by it and honored to be in the middle of it," Mr. Mapp said, speaking during his Friday press briefing at Government House here.
Relative to the recovery effort, the governor shared the following information:
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