, 1954-02-06

particularly a fact which antedates Llncons Emanclpauon Frocla-
nation by some fifteen years.
Just as your coastal cities are giants in the International trade
so it is a. fact that this notable. landlocked port OF Charlotte Amahe
back in the days of the numbering windiammer featured as key way
station in the North and South Atlantic traffic between the Old
world and the New, transhipping prodigous eargoes. of sugar, mo-
1asses and run-in Virginias commerce. among other ports
You may be interested. to know that my Administration is lean
ing very heavily upon ideas and plans borrowed from the restora-
ton project of colonial Williamsburg, a masterpiece IN the Held OF
distinctive atmosphere. We are using your thinking, among others,
in the current program to preserve the antiquities, the historic places
land their associations, the craftsmanship and, Of course, in the con
servation of the natural beauty unique to these old Caribbean
towns. You may be interested to know, also. that two years ago the
lSecretary of the Interior, upon the recommendation OF the National
Park Service. DESIGNATED q portion Of the town OF chrlstlansteds Q
Est. Croix, as the Virgin Islands national historic site. The area I'M
cIudes such significant landmarks of the Danish occupation as Fort
christianvaern, the Danish Post Office & Custom House, the Steepie
buildings and the Government House.
The designation of this historic site is in connection with the
objective of this Administration, as it is with your own Williams
burg, to retain as much of the old graciousness as possible as an at
Traction to tourists. And in this, please be assured. we are not ann
ling at those who seek excitement gambling, artificial amusenents,
or noisy, cheap catch-penny devices. That is why you saw N your
tour this afternoon the familiar pattern OF colonial Williamsburg IN
the Virgin Islands 18th century appearance particlary the massive
stone masonry, quaint cobblestone pavemens, enhancing patios, de-
Icate Creole ironwork, the unusual streets OF steps reaching to the
suburbs, and SO on.
we can now turn to the resort viewpoint Of our familiarity. VIr-
gnia rightly boasts of delightful, scenic residential developments
lby the sea- the comfortable guest accommodations along the Shenan-
doah, and the charming hoshries high up on the Blue Ridge ana
1.-THE Alleghenies. While the entertainment and recreation business
represents but an offshoot in Vrginias economy, the Virgin Islands
Hook to this enterprise for substantial support. For we were not en-
ldowed with the raw materials necessary for adequate agricultural
Tor industrial development, but such of the BLESSINGS that we have
I've use them wisely: pleasant, warm sunlight 1865 days a year, an
incompatible climate with average mean temperature OF IS de-
grees, rolling hills, majectic mountains. and strands of oearly beach
les that adorn the shoreline all around.
Speaking of these beaches, / know Admiral Kiland would be
interested to know that the UDT personnel now training in the Vr-
gin Islands and I believe based at Little Creek, Virginia, occupy
leven their free liberty hours with "skin-diving"-much as the bus.
man on holidays!
Lastly, but most important, we provide hospitality, charm,
lquietude and comfort-things which most people seek on a vacation
or for retirement but seldom find elsewhere than in the Virgin
Islands With these natural resources we are able to attract grow
ling numbers of kind folk and gentle people" from the wide world
outside for extended visit or permanent residence. Among the early
Visitors. for instance, were the parents of Virginia Dare who spent
some days at st. Croix before they ever saw Virginia
Of course, the Virgin Islands did not "get in on the first floor,
las Virginia back in nc. Rather we entered by way Of the escalator
some 40 years later, when this Caribbean outpost was found to be
in position as a strategic bastion for the defense chain protecting
the vital Panama Canal. Virginia takes due satisfaction in that she
lied the States in the struggle for independence with the dawn OF
the Nation. These Virgin Islands find esteem that we share, even
though late, in preserving the national liberty and, in the process,
the rights of free men everywhere as well Virgin Islands men have
stood guard from Pearl Harbor to Tokyo and still bear arms up on
I4bn ridpac nf Korna and with the NATO forces in West GERMANY.