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COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, VETERANS AFFAIRS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION 02/10/2026-REPORTED OUT TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND JUDICIARY BILL NO. 36-0226 Thirty-Sixth Legislature of the Virgin Islands February 2, 2026 A resolution honoring and commending Mrs. Janet Brow Phillips for her outstanding achievements and significant contributions to the fields of education and culinary arts to the Virgin Islands community PROPOSED BY: Senator Kenneth L. Gittens Sponsors: Avery L. Lewis, Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Angel L. Bolques, Jr. and Carla J. Joseph Co-sponsor: Hubert L. Frederick WHEREAS, Mrs. Janet Elise Brow Phillips was born on the island of St. Croix on July 1 26, 1961, at the lngerberg Nesbitt Clinic in Frederiksted, St. Croix to Lucita (deceased) and 2 Theodore “Teddy” Brow of Estate Grove Place, St. Croix; 3 WHEREAS, Mrs. Brow Phillips is the eldest of three children, including her brothers 4 Dennis and Steve Brow, and was raised in the vibrant Grove Place community where she 5 developed a strong sense of cultural pride and community service; 6 WHEREAS, she received her early education in the Virgin Islands public school system 7 and graduated from St. Croix Central High School in 1979, and thereafter earned a Bachelor 8 of Science in Elementary Education from Cheyney State College in Pennsylvania in 1983; 9 WHEREAS, upon returning to St. Croix, Mrs. Brow Phillips began her distinguished 10 career with the Virgin Islands Department of Education in 1984 as a classroom teacher, 11 inspiring and nurturing generations of students with her dedication to learning, discipline, and 12 compassion; 13 2 WHEREAS, while serving in the Department of Education, Mrs. Brow Phillips 1 continued to pursue higher education and obtained a Master of Science in Management and 2 Administration of Educational Programs from Nova Southeastern University in 2006; 3 WHEREAS, during her tenure, she served as the Director of School and Community 4 Relations, where she is credited for launching the first Parent University Program in the Virgin 5 Islands, an initiative designed to strengthen family engagement, empower parents, and enhance 6 student success; 7 WHEREAS, beyond her educational contributions, Mrs. Brow Phillips is celebrated as 8 one of St. Croix’s foremost culinary artisans, having inherited and refined her cooking skills 9 under the guidance of her mother Lucita Brow and aunt Dolores Miller; 10 WHEREAS, her culinary excellence and passion for traditional crucian cuisine have 11 made her a fixture in the island’s cultural landscape, participating in the St. Croix Festival 12 Village for more than 15 years and in the St. Croix Agricultural and Food Fair (Agrifest) for 13 over a decade; 14 WHEREAS, Mrs. Brow Phillips has, and continues to play an active role in the David 15 Hamilton Jackson Day celebrations in Grove Place for approximately 30 years, preserving and 16 promoting the legacy of one of the Virgin Islands’ great leaders; 17 WHEREAS, renowned for her culinary mastery, she is best known for dishes such as 18 crab and rice (with and without pork), boiled fish and okra fungi, stewed and buttered conch, 19 fried salmon balls, roast goat and pork, kalalloo (with pork and/or seafood), pigeon peas rice, 20 crucian potato stuffing, and red peas soup, each prepared with care, authenticity, and love; 21 WHEREAS, her commitment to cultural preservation and culinary excellence has 22 earned her multiple recognitions as Grand Champion at the Virgin Islands Agriculture and 23 Food Fair, and she continues to be a highly sought-after caterer for both public and private 24 events, including those hosted by Virgin Islands Governors; 25 3 WHEREAS, Mrs. Brow Phillips is a Golden Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta 1 Sorority, Inc., a former member of the Flamboyant Park Horsemen Association, the Territorial 2 Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands, the USVI Leadership in Action Program, and the 3 American Federation of Teachers, all demonstrating her commitment to civic engagement and 4 leadership; 5 WHEREAS, she is married to Patrick Phillips, and together they are the proud parents 6 of Ludequa, Lutisha, and Lushane Phillips, and grandparents to T’kai, Azalea, O’nae, Reniya, 7 Alaysia, Azarie, and Okimo, to whom she is already passing down the cherished culinary 8 traditions of her beloved St. Croix; 9 WHEREAS, Mrs. Brow Phillips’ life exemplifies the spirit of service, excellence, and 10 cultural pride, embodying the very essence of Virgin Islands identity and community; Now, 11 Therefore, 12 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the Virgin Islands: 13 SECTION 1. The Legislature of the Virgin Islands, on behalf of the people of the Virgin 14 Islands, honors and commends Mrs. Janet Brow Phillips for her distinguished contributions to 15 the Crucian Culinary Arts, her decades of service in education, and her steadfast commitment 16 to preserving and nurturing the cultural heritage of the Virgin Islands. 17 SECTION 2. In recognition and appreciation of her contributions, the President of the 18 Legislature, or the President’s designee, shall present perma plaque copy of this resolution to 19 Mrs. Janet Brow Phillips at an appropriate ceremony held for that purpose. 20 BILL SUMMARY 21 This bill honors and commends Mrs. Janet Brow Phillips for her outstanding 22 achievements and significant contributions to the fields of education and culinary arts and the 23 Virgin Islands community. 24 BR25-0287B/November 20, 2025/PFA 25