Territory Hosts Council of State Governments Conference On St. Thomas

Leaders from across the U.S. and Canada will converge on St. Thomas this week to attend the Council of State Governments’ (CSG) Eastern Region Conference at Frenchman’s Reef Hotel.

A delegation of 81 conference participants, along with their family members, chose the U.S. Virgin Islands as this year’s meeting place at the invitation of CSG Executive Board Member and Senate President Shawn-Michael Malone.

“I made it my mission to bring a major meeting of CSG here,” Senator Malone said. “I wanted the organization’s leadership to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands, not only to bring us some business, but in the hope that they would have a better understanding of the territory and our needs.”

Attendees arrived in St. Thomas on Friday to a welcome party hosted by the 30th Legislature.

“We want to give them a warm Virgin Islands welcome and allow them to enjoy our people and culture – these are important guests and include many of North America’s current and future decision makers,” Senator Malone said. “I would like to thank all of those visiting and all of those who are working to make a successful visit possible.”

Founded in 1933, the Council of State Governments is the nation’s only organization serving all three branches of state government. A description on its website says the organization “fosters the exchange of insights and ideas to help officials shape public policy” and has as its mission statement, the championing of “excellence in state governments to advance the common good.”

CSG Eastern regional member states include Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Vermont, Rhode Island and Quebec.

In addition to Senate President Malone, Sen. Sammuel Sanes also serves on CSG’s Executive Board.

A press conference will be held at the Earle B. Ottley Legislatiuve Chambers on St. Thomas today at 11 a.m. to provide an overview of the week’s activities. It is open to the public, and will be broadcast live on radio and LEGIT TV Channel 6.