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TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF BILL NO. 36-0149 A Resolution Honoring and Commending Janeisha John Submitted to the Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs, and Consumer Protection of the 36th Legislature Submitted By: Claire L. Roker November 7, 2025 Good day, Honorable Chairman, Avery L. Lewis, Honorable Senator Angel Bolques, sponsor of Bill No. 36-0149, and all honorable Senators of the 36th Legislature’s Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs, and Consumer Protection. Thank you for inviting me to testify in strong support of a resolution honoring and commending Ms. Janeisha John for her outstanding achievements and significant contributions to the fields of entertainment, modeling, and television production. My name is Claire L. Roker, and I have dedicated my life to the cultural, artistic, and personal development of young people across the Virgin Islands. For almost five decades, I have served as a pageant director, mentor, chaperone, coach, and community advocate — helping to shape the grace, presence, and confidence of generations of talented Virgin Islands ambassadors. My work has always been guided by an unwavering love for our culture and for the limitless potential of our youth. It has been such a joy and privilege to help our young people step into their God-given talents and carry the Virgin Islands with pride wherever their journeys led them. I come before you today with that same sense of pride to speak on behalf of Ms. Janeisha John, a young woman who has dedicated her life to making the Virgin Islands proud. I have watched Janeisha grow from a talented young dancer on St. Croix into an accomplished ambassador on the world’s stage. Her path has been rooted in discipline, creativity, intelligence, and cultural awareness. From her early dance training at age four, to her academic excellence graduating with honors from the magnet program at St. Croix Educational Complex, to her earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of the Virgin Islands, she has always shown drive and leadership. Jahneisha’s rise in pageantry — including competing in some of the top local, national and international competitions has been exciting, including what she refers to as her “most esteemed title,” that of Miss U.S. Virgin Islands Universe 2010. She symbolizes what I have taught those I have mentored through the years: beauty shines brightest when guided by intelligence and purpose. But Jahneisha’s wins were not merely about titles. They were about representing us. She proudly carried our flag, our voices, our Virgin Islands rhythms, our stories, and most definitely our hearts onto international stages. Her success in television, modeling, and entertainment beyond our shores never conflicted with her departure from home. It expanded our reach as the Virgin Islands. Whether on the screen, on the runway, or in the production studio, we know that Janeisha makes it clear: she comes from here, she belongs to here, and she brings us with her whenever she goes. She is a cultural ambassador who promotes tourism, showcases local businesses and productions, and is committed to motivating the next generation. Senators, this resolution is not only deserved — it is necessary. When we honor those who carry our name into the world with dignity and courage, we honor the Virgin Islands itself as our ancestors have done. For these reasons, I humbly and enthusiastically urge the Legislature to pass Bill No. 36-0149. Thank you, Janeisha John for requesting that I testify on your behalf. Thank you, senators for recognizing the importance of acknowledging our cultural ambassadors while they are still shining brightly. Respectfully submitted, Claire L. Roker St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands