Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 124.djvu/1335

 124 STAT. 1309 PUBLIC LAW 111–194—JUNE 30, 2010 Public Law 111–194 111th Congress Joint Resolution To provide for the reconsideration and revision of the proposed constitution of the United States Virgin Islands to correct provisions inconsistent with the Con- stitution and Federal law. Whereas Congress, recognizing the basic democratic principle of government by the consent of the governed, enacted Public Law 94–584 (94 Stat. 2899) authorizing the people of the United States Virgin Islands to organize a government pursuant to a constitution of their own adoption; Whereas a proposed constitution to provide for local self-government for the people of the United States Virgin Islands was submitted by the President to Congress on March 1, 2010, pursuant to Public Law 94–584; Whereas Congress, pursuant to Public Law 94–584, after receiving a proposed United States Virgin Islands constitution from the President may approve, amend, or modify the constitution by joint resolution, but the constitution ‘‘shall be deemed to have been approved’’ if Congress takes no action within ‘‘sixty legisla- tive days (not interrupted by an adjournment sine die of the Congress) after its submission by the President’’; Whereas in carrying out Public Law 94–584, the President asked the Department of Justice, in consultation with the Department of the Interior, to provide views on the proposed constitution; Whereas the Department of Justice concluded that several features of the proposed constitution warrant analysis and comment, including— (1) the absence of an express recognition of United States sovereignty and the supremacy of Federal law; (2) provisions for a special election on the territorial status of the United States Virgin Islands; (3) provisions conferring legal advantages on certain groups defined by place and timing of birth, timing of residency, or ancestry; (4) residence requirements for certain offices; (5) provisions guaranteeing legislative representation of cer- tain geographic areas; (6) provisions addressing territorial waters and marine resources; (7) imprecise language in certain provisions of the bill of rights of the proposed constitution; (8) the possible need to repeal certain Federal laws if the proposed constitution of the United States Virgin Islands is adopted; and (9) the effect of congressional action or inaction on the pro- posed constitution; and June 30, 2010 [S.J. Res. 33]