(Washington, DC, March 7, 2006) — Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen today thanked Deputy Secretary of Interior Lynn Scarlett for the Department’s interest in the development of the St. Croix economy as evidenced by this past weekend’s Business Opportunities Mission to the territory’s largest island.  The mission, included Assistant Deputy Secretary David Cohen, Office of Insular Affairs officials and the Chief Executive Officers of several major mainland businesses.  The group had the opportunity to visit St. Croix businesses, historic and cultural sites, including National Park properties and to meet with business, government and community leaders. “I am pleased with the high level of interest that the Department continues to show in the territory, particularly St. Croix and the fact that they have kept their promises to help us to grow our economies,” the Delegate said. “I would like to particularly commend Deputy Secretary Scarlett who by her presence signals her ongoing commitment to the territory and to the economic development of St. Croix.”

Although Secretary Scarlett and Delegate Christensen are scheduled to return to Washington today, the Mission will continue to St. Thomas for a round of meetings there.  “Because the Congress is back in Session today, and because I have committee meetings and I am expected to manage Resources Committee bills on the House floor tomorrow, I could not take part in the St. Thomas leg of the Mission,” Christensen said.

Delegate Christensen said that she was pleased to welcome the diverse array of businessmen and women who seemed to be pleased with what they saw and who were optimistic about the possibility of partnerships with the territory.  “I will continue to lend the resources of my office to facilitate the development of these partnerships in every way,” the Delegate emphasized.

Christensen said that it was refreshing to once again visit St. Croix’s historical and cultural sites and to be updated on the work that is being done to enhance them on the local and federal level.  “It was a bonus to visit the Gasperi property, home of Castle Nugent Farms with the Assistant Secretary and Superintendent Joel Tutein so they could see first hand the benefit of this property becoming a part of the National Park family, an effort I have spearheaded with legislation in the Congress,” Christensen said. “It was also great to see the progress on Salt River National Park, subject of another legislative initiative and to meet with the task force, of which I am a member. St. Croix can only benefit from this type of effort and I look forward to continued work with the Department and the Assistant Secretary to accomplish this end,” Christensen said.