THANKS FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS FOR ASSISTANCE

On behalf of the AFT members of the Virgin Islands and the people of the Virgin Islands, we would like to take this opportunity to express to you our profound gratitude and appreciation for the support you have shown and the contribution you have made to us after Hurricane Hugo. According to our secretary-treasurer, you have in fact contributed about $80,000 across the country.

We'd like to thank you for that. We also would like to make sure that you continue this kind of support to our members, not only overseas, but here within the United States.

We also would particularly like to thank our leader, Albert Shanker, and secretary-treasurer Robert Porter for their initiative in establishing and setting up this fund for us to gain the benefit.

We are now in the rebuilding mode. Things are not all that they ought to be, but we are in the process. Many of our schools are still damaged. Many of our members' homes have still not yet been fully repaired. But we are a strong people, and with your help and with God's help we will survive.

We'd like to thank the AFT for its support and assistance over the years, not only because of Hurricane Hugo.

Today we would like to present this plaque, carved out of mahogany wood on the beautiful island of St. John. It reads as follows:

"Virgin Islands, in appreciation and gratitude for financial aid and fraternal support during Hurricane Hugo recovery, to the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, July 2, 1990."