A Virgin Islands Founding Father: Calls for Generations Present and Future to Celebrate D. Hamilton Jackson

Senator Novelle Francis Jr. on Monday described David Hamilton Jackson as a founding father of Virgin Islands and wants to see more educational sessions be undertaken focusing the great Virgin Islander's life.

“We need to tell our children and children’s children about his life, his challenges, and his triumph so they can tell their children how far we have come as a people and how far we can go as a people once we work together to achieve our goals. Jackson was a man of great intellect who was defined by his leadership, passion, and advocacy,” Mr. Francis said while delivering remarks at Government House on St. Croix to commemorate Liberty Day 2021.

“As we gather today in Government House, the people’s house, I am reminded of the significant role that David Hamilton Jackson had in shaping our community and our government,” he said as he described Mr. Jackson as someone who had a vision for Virgin islanders as an empowered people.

“To examine Mr. Jackson's life is to understand the intersection of history and civic, he is a powerful figure in our Virgin Island history and an equally powerful figure in civic, in particular understanding the rights and obligation of citizens,” Mr. Francis said.

“Mr. Jackson fought for things that we now take for granted such as the right to earn a fair wage, the right to express ourselves, and even the right to organize and be heard, and it is only fitting that we celebrate his life's work not just today but every day,” said the senator, who serves as vice president of the Senate.