Beautiful Virgin Islands

Sunday, Feb 09, 2025

'I pledge to give my all’ to culture, tourism & D4 – Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith

'I pledge to give my all’ to culture, tourism & D4 – Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith

Newly elected Fourth District Representative and Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture, Ms Luce D. Hodge-Smith has pledged to give her all to her portfolios of culture and tourism and a representative of the Fourth Electoral District in the VI.

“I send a hearty thank you to the voters of District 4 for placing their confidence in me to serve as their representative for the next four years in this Honourable House. I am truly grateful to all of you, and I look forward to working with you and together we will build a better District 4 and by extension, a better Virgin Islands,” she said while thanking family, friends and her campaign committee.

Mrs Hodge-Smith, a former Director of Culture, was at the time delivering her first speech as a member of the Fifth House of Assembly during the Swearing-In Ceremony and First Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex on May 18, 2023,

“I certainly cannot take my seat without expressing gratitude to you, Honourable Premier, [Natalio D. Wheatley] for entrusting your confidence in me to serve as a Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism, two areas I am passionate about and have experience in and knowledge about as well.

Mrs. Hodge-Smith added that she looks forward to working with legislators on both sides of the aisle to advance our territory forward.



Culture & Tourism significant to growth of VI - Mrs Hodge-Smith

“I recognise that this role is very important and significant to the growth and development of our territory, with tourism being one of our two economic pillars. I take these responsibilities very serious, and I pledge to give my all and to work with everyone to ensure results are garnered in these areas.”

Meanwhile, Mrs Hodge-Smith said the advancement of the 4th District plays an intricate role in the safeguarding of VI’s cultural and historical heritage and enhancing its tourism product.

“There's still so much more to be done in District Four; however, I recognise the infrastructural work and other works that have already been started and, in some cases, completed in the District and I look forward to the continued efforts to transform the district, especially the capital Road Town into a clean, pedestrian-friendly, safe, noise-free and with ample parking and a green environment,” she said.

A pledge to work with both sides

Mrs Hodge-Smith added that she looks forward to working with legislators on both sides of the aisle to advance the territory.

“It has already been said on many occasions that we have been through some trying times with the hurricanes, starting before that, the floods, the COVID-19, with the COI etc, but what this has proven to us as Virgin Islands is that we are resilient, and we will continue to move this territory forward together with our resiliency.”

Smith further urged Virgin Islanders and residents that they have a role to play in securing the future of the territory for the present generation and those yet unborn, while calling on all to play a part.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Trump Administration Directs Admiral to Leave Official Residence Within Three Hours
British Health Secretary Andrew Gavin Fired Over Controversial Messages
Report: Iran Attempted to Assassinate Trump During Election Campaign
Trump Declares He Won't Deport Prince Harry, 'He's Already Dealing with Enough Issues with His Wife,' He Comments.
Macron's AI Vision Encounters Hindrance in the Global Technology Competition.
TikTok Sued Over Alleged Child Deaths Caused by 'Blackout Challenge'
Governments Prohibit DeepSeek AI Due to National Security Issues
Russian musician Vadim Stroykin passes away following an apparent fall during a police raid.
Zelensky Suggests Mineral Collaboration with Trump for Security Assistance
Naomi Campbell Claims Unawareness of Financial Irregularities at Fashion for Relief.
House Republican Introduces Bill Aimed at Limiting AI Exports to China
Trump Signs Executive Order Prohibiting Transgender Athletes from Competing in Women's Sports
Intense Pressure Builds for a Free Trade Agreement Between the UK and GCC in Light of Economic Difficulties
UAE Aids in the Transfer of 300 Prisoners Between Russia and Ukraine.
Trump Suggests U.S. 'Takeover' of Gaza, Sparking Global Worries
At least ten fatalities reported in Swedish school shooting, authorities confirm.
EU Reveals Significant Advances on Special Tribunal for Prosecuting Vladimir Putin
Trump Administration Preparing Executive Order to Abolish the Department of Education
Trump's Gaza Plan Provokes Global Debate
Spain Endorses Initiative to Cut Working Week to 37.5 Hours
Australia Prohibits DeepSeek AI on Government Devices Due to Security Issues
Trump Warns of Tariffs on EU Products, Labels Bloc an 'Atrocity' in Trade Matters
Zelenskyy Proposes Nuclear Arsenal if NATO Membership Lingers.
Zelenskyy Urges for 'Robust Security Assurances' from Russia to Conclude the Conflict in Ukraine
European Union Proposes Reforms to 1951 Refugee Convention
China's humanoid robots poised to transform everyday living and spiritual functions.
Changes in US tariffs on Chinese products could affect consumers more significantly than they do China.
How Innovations in China's Humanoid Robots Ignite Fierce Competition with the US
Germany Experiences 34% Decrease in Asylum Applications During Migration Discussion
Experts Challenge Conviction of UK Nurse Lucy Letby for Baby Killings
AfD Chief Alice Weidel Enhances Global Standing Through Meeting with Viktor Orban
Nigel Farage's Reform UK Party Leads Poll Amid Growing Public Demand for Change
Conor Murphy Steps Down as Northern Ireland Economy Minister to Join Irish Parliament
Over 1 Million Face Penalties After Missing HMRC Self-Assessment Tax Deadline
Scottish Government Denies Plans to Ban Cat Ownership Amid Controversy
Bridget Phillipson Urges Parents to Prioritize School Attendance Amid Rising Absence Rates
Keir Starmer Advocates for Stronger UK-EU Security Partnership in Brussels
Six English Councils Granted Permission to Raise Council Tax Bills Above Cap Amid Financial Struggles
Keir Starmer Faces Growing Backlash Over Potential Approval of Rosebank Oilfield
AI Consciousness Raises Ethical Concerns, Say Experts
Families Urge NHS England to Release Full Report on Nottingham Triple Homicide
NHS Initiates Largest AI Trial for Breast Cancer Detection
UK Tightens Regulations on Online Sales of Weight-Loss Injections
Gambling Ads Shown to Parents on Baby Monitor App, Raising Concerns
Ancient Irish Rainforests at Risk Due to the Growth of Monoculture Plantations
EU Leaders Deliberate on Defense Strategy Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
EU Leaders Convene Important Summit on Defense in Response to Rising Tensions
Trump Directs Establishment of U.S. Sovereign Wealth Fund, Considers TikTok Purchase
Britain Considers U.S. Gas Imports in Response to Possible Trump Tariffs
French Prime Minister Bayrou Confronts Several No-Confidence Votes Regarding the 2025 Budget
×