(Washington, DC, February 28, 2007) — Noting that the territories face challenges in trade, homeland security and changes in the tax code, Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen called on the Bush administration to develop a long term view with regards to funding for the insular areas. Delegate Christensen spoke before the Department of Interior’s Interagency Group on Insular Affairs on Wednesday morning.

 “We could all greatly benefit from assistance in planning for constantly changing circumstances, and having our funding set and designed to help us meet these challenges,” she told the gathering of representatives from various federal departments and agencies.  She commended the Interior Department’s efforts to market the territory to investors, but noted it was equally important to balance those efforts with the needs of local residents.

Delegate Christensen also urged Interior to make a greater effort to ensure that systems are put in place to improve territorial reporting on statistics that affect health, education and other areas. “I am tired of receiving reports that have (not available) or (not reported) on the lines for Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Marianas and the Virgin Islands,” Delegate Christensen said. “It is impossible to address issues without having adequate, up-to-date information or to justify our important requests.”

Delegate Christensen also voiced her objection to the “agency-by-agency” privatization of the Virgin Islands government, to private companies outside the territory. “I ask the White House and the Interior Department again to take meaningful steps to help us reverse and end this trend, essentially turning the government back to the people of the Virgin Islands,” she said.

The Delegate also extended  a warm welcome to Governor John deJongh who also addressed the IGIA meeting on Wednesday.