[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 95 (Tuesday, July 10, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            FRENCH HERITAGE WEEK IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 10, 2001

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of all the 
people of French descent in my district, the U.S. Virgin Islands, on 
the occasion of the annual observance of French Heritage Week, an event 
that revolves around Bastille Day--which commemorates the destruction 
of the Bastille, the state prison in Paris, France, on July 14, 1789, 
which brought about one of the most significant movements in world 
history--the French Revolution.
  The destruction of the Bastille, Mr. Speaker, was a significant act 
of bravery that not only brought on the French Revolution, but also 
became the symbol of democracy and human rights and the founding event 
for the movement towards liberty and liberal democracy around the 
world.
  Today, I am proud to represent a striving and vibrant community of 
people of French descent who have inhabited the U.S. Virgin Islands for 
centuries--contributing their expertise in fishing, farming, the 
professions and other vocations that have made significant differences 
in the political, social, cultural and economic progress and growth on 
the Territory.
  Among the many treasures that make the Virgin Islands unique and 
special is our diversity. In particular, the French community has been 
a cultural asset through its presence and the many cultural, business 
and civic activities it promotes. One event put on by the Virgin 
Islands French Community that comes to mind, is the Father's Day 
celebration held each year in Frenchtown. Here, the French community 
recognizing the value in our fathers sponsors a weeklong celebration in 
their honor.
  I am especially pleased and privileged to be able to pay homage to 
our French Community and the Virgin Islands community at-large during 
the 2001 French Heritage Week celebrations. While it is not generally 
known, my maternal great grandmother was a Parisian, and so I proudly 
claim kinship, although my command of the French language is limited.
  This U.S. Virgin Islands French Heritage Week is a celebration of our 
heritage and national pride--two things that are important to the 
survival of any society. I congratulate Senator Lorraine L. Berry, a 
ten-term member of the Virgin Islands Legislature, for her continual 
efforts to enlighten her fellow Virgin Islanders on the rich traditions 
of French culture and history.
  On behalf of my family, staff and myself, I wish to congratulate the 
members of the French community of the U.S. Virgin Islands for their 
many contributions to our community and for so generously sharing their 
history, culture and crafts with each generation of Virgin Islanders.
  May God continue to bless our citizens of French descent and may they 
continue in the rich and strong democratic traditions of their 
motherland, France. Best wishes for an eventful, fulfilling ``French 
Heritage Week.''

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