•HRES 291 IH 
protection and expansion of the United States interest in 
the Caribbean region; 
Whereas such purchase was the culmination of a half-century 
of interest by the United States of American with the 
Danish Government for the islands as an easterly point 
to the United States, an important part to the region 
having served as the hub of Western hemisphere com-
merce in the region for several centuries, and serving a 
crucial role in naval military activity in the Caribbean 
Basin; 
Whereas the transfer of the Danish West Indies to the 
United States took place on March 31, 1917, and is com-
memorated annually by holding ‘‘Transfer Day’’ cere-
monies in the Virgin Islands of the United States; 
Whereas the people of the Virgin Islands of the United States 
include but are not limited to the descendants of Euro-
pean immigrants, enslaved Africans, native inhabitants, 
and people from other Caribbean islands, South America, 
and the continental United States; 
Whereas through the arts, politics, and intellectual discourse, 
though small in size, the Virgin Islands of the United 
States continue to contribute and positively participate in 
the rich fabric of the United States while cherishing its 
unique and rich Caribbean history and culture; 
Whereas the contribution of the Virgin Islands of the United 
States includes but is not limited to serving as drafters, 
soldiers, and patriots of the new Nation through notables 
such as Alexander Hamilton, leadership for both sides of 
the great question of slavery and race in the new Nation, 
by leading slave revolts through individuals such as Den-
mark Vesey and acting as Secretary of the Treasury of 
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•HRES 291 IH 
the Confederate States in the person of Judah Benjamin, 
serving as explorers and entrepreneurs of the United 
States through United States Senator David Yulee of 
Florida and one of the founders of San Francisco, Wil-
liam Leidesdorff; 
Whereas, as the Virgin Islands of the United States enters 
its next century of inclusion the great country, it will 
have continued relevance in the region as issues of for-
eign investment, increasing levels in maritime and infor-
mation technology, and commerce grow in the region, and 
Caribbean nations look to the Virgin Islands of the 
United States as the physical example and influence in 
the region of American thought, economic leadership, and 
sophistication; 
Whereas the Virgin Islands of the United States will use this 
anniversary to commemorate history, culture, and diver-
sity; 
Whereas Virgin Islanders have served the United States in 
every war and conflict since the Revolutionary War and 
have contributed to every facet of history and life of the 
United States; 
Whereas 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the Virgin Is-
lands becoming a part of the United States; and 
Whereas issuing a postage stamp commemorating the 100th 
Anniversary of the Virgin Islands becoming a part of the 
United States is fitting and proper because today the ter-
ritory is under the jurisdiction of the president of the 
United States of America and residents are American 
citizens: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep-
resentatives that— 
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•HRES 291 IH 
(1) the Postmaster General should issue a com-
memorative postage stamp commemorating the 
100th Anniversary of the Virgin Islands becoming a 
part of the United States; and 
(2) such stamp should— 
(A) be issued in the denomination used for 
first-class mail up to 1 ounce in weight; 
(B) bear such illustration or picture as the 
Postmaster General determines; and 
(C) be placed in sale at such time and for 
such period as the Postmaster General deter-
mines. 
Æ 
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