68
STAT.]
503;
PUBLIC LAW 517-JULY 22, 1954
municipality of Saint Croix shall be transferred to the government of the Virgin Islands. EXECXJTIVE BRANCH
SEC. 11. The executive power of the Virgin Islands shall be vested in an executive officer whose official title shall be the "Governor of the Virgin Islands", and shall be exercised under the supervision of the Secretary of the Interior. The Governor of the Virgin Islands shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the President and until his successor is chosen and qualified. The Governor shall maintain his official residence in the Government House on Saint Thomas during his official incumbency, free of rent, and while in Saint Croix may reside in Government House on Saint Croix free of rent. H e shall have general supervision and control of all the departments, bureaus, agencies, and other instrumentalities of the executive branch of the government of the Virgin Islands. He may grant pardons and reprieves and remit fines and forfeitures for offenses against the local laws, and may grant respites for all offenses against the laws of the United States applicable in the Virgin Islands until the decision of the President can be ascertained. He may veto any legislation as provided in this Act. He shall appoint all officers and employees of the executive branch of the government of the Virgin Islands, except as otherwise provided in this or any other Act of Congress, and shall commission all officers that he may be authorized to appoint. He shall be responsible for the faithful execution of the laws of the Virgin Islands and the laws of the United States applicable in the Virgin Islands. Whenever it becomes necessary he may call upon the commanders of the military and naval forces of the United States in the islands, or summon the posse comitatus, or call out the militia, to prevent or suppress violence, invasion, insurrection, or rebellion; and he may, in case of rebellion or invasion, or imminent danger thereof, when the public safety requires it, suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, or place the islands, or any part thereof, under martial law, until communication can be had with the President and the President's decision thereon made known. H e shall annually, and at such other times as the President or the Congress may require, make official report of the transactions of the government of the Virgin Islands to the Secretary of the Interior, and his said annual report shall be transmitted to the Congress. He shall perform such additional duties and functions as may, in pursuance of law, be delegated to him by the President, or by the Secretary of the Interior. H e shall have the power to issue executive regulations not in conflict with any applicable law. He may attend or may designate another person to represent him at the meetings of the legislature, may give expressions to his views on any matter before that body, and may recommend bills to the legislature. SEC. 12. The President shall appoint a Government Secretary for the Virgin Islands. He shall have custody of the seal of the Virgin Islands and shall countersign and affix such seal to all executive proclamations and all other executive documents. He shall record and preserve the laws enacted by the legislature. He shall promulgate all proclamations and orders of the Governor and all laws enacted by the legislature. He shall have such executive powers and perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Governor. SEC. 13. The Governor may appoint an administrative assistant wTio shall reside in Saint Croix and an administrative assistant who shall reside in Saint John. These administrative assistants shall perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the Governor. I n making
Governor.
Appointment.
Residence.
Powers.
Reports.
Delegated duties.
Secretary.
Administrative assistant.
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