♫♫ ♫♫ >>> GOOD DAY, AND WELCOME TO "THE WASHINGTON REPORT".

I´M CONGRESSMAN STACY PLASKETT AND I´M PLEASESED TO SERVE AS THE VIRTUE ISLANDS DELEGATE.

"THE WASHINGTON REPORT" WAS CREATED TO INFORM VIRGIN ISLANDER ON ISSUES THAT AFFECT OUR COMMUNITY.

WE´RE IN A SPECIAL PLACE, RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING AND THIS IS KIND OF LIKE ONE OF THE ROTUNDA´S MEETING SPACES.

I´M HONORED TO HAVE AS A GUEST TODAY WITH ME MY GOOD FRIEND, UNDERSECRETARY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AT THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, SOCHI TORRES SMALL.

SHE WAS PREVIOUSLY THE CONGRESSMAN FOR NEW MEXICO´S SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, AND WE SERVE TOGETHER ON THE HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE.

IN HER CURRENT ROLE, SHE OVERSEES LOANS AND GRANTS TO PROVIDE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, COMMUNITY FACILITIES SUCH AS SCHOOLS, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND HEALTH CARE, AS WELL AS HIGH SPEED INTERNET, ACCESS TO RURAL, TRIBAL, AND HIGH POVERTY AREAS.

DURING HER LEADERSHIP, THE USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT SECURED $2 BILLION TO SUPPORT RURAL BROAD BAND THROUGH THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW.

IN FEBRUARY, PRESIDENT BIDEN NOMINATED MS. TORRES SMALL AS DEPUTY SECRETARY AT THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

SO WE ARE IN GREAT COMPANY TODAY.

WE´RE GOING TO GET SOME GREAT INFORMATION, YOU GUYS, OUT OF HER TODAY.

SO WELCOME TO "THE WASHINGTON REPORT", SECRETARY TORRES SMALL.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT.

GREAT TO BE HERE AND TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU.

HOW DOES IT FEEL BEING IN THE HOUSE?

>> IT FEELS GOOD.

>> YEAH?

>> I MISS SOME OF THE WORK.

I REALLY MISS GETTING TO WORK WITH YOU IN THAT CAPACITY, BUT I´M SO EXCITED ABOUT THE WAYS TO GET TO WORK TOGETHER NOW.

>> VERY TRUE, VERY TRUE.

AND ONE OF THOSE WAYS THAT WE GOT TO WORK TOGETHER IS WE WERE SO GRATEFUL WHEN YOU AND YOUR TEAM CAME DOWN TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND SPENT TIME WITH US.

WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HOST YOU AT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS JUST OVER A MONTH AGO.

THE MEETINGS WITH STAKEHOLDERS ACROSS VARIOUS FIELDS, INCLUDING HOUSING, ENERGY, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, AS WELL AS FARMER.

WE HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS AROUND THE TAKEAWAYS FROM OUR TRIP TO OUR TERRITORY, PARTICULARLY ON HOUSING, ENERGY, AND -- SO, HOW ARE THE ISSUES FACED BY THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IN AREA LIKE ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SIMILAR OR DIFFERENT THAN OTHER RURAL AREAS AROUND THE UNITED STATES?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING ME TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

IT WAS MY FIRST TIME VISITING AND I JUST SO APPRECIATED THE CHANCE TO SEE THE REALITIES ON THE GROUND AND TO GET TO KNOW WHAT SOME OF THE SIMILAR CHALLENGES ARE AND THE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXIST IN ST. CROIX.

>> DOES THAT HAPPEN OFTEN WHEN YOU GO AND VISIT OTHER COMMUNITIES?

>> IT ABSOLUTELY DOES.

WHAT I´VE LEARNED IS THAT THERE´S WAY MORE THAN JUST ONE RURAL, RIGHT?

EVERYWHERE YOU GO -- I HAVE A SENSE OF WHAT RURAL IN NEW MEXICO IS, BUT GETTING TO SEE WHAT RURAL ON AN ISLAND IS FOR EXAMPLE, OR RURAL IN ALASKA, THERE´S ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT CHALLENGES, AND THERE´S ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT WAYS PEOPLE ARE RESPONDING TO THEM.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT REALLY STRUCK ME ABOUT ST. CROIX IS PEOPLE WERE HAVING TO PLAN SO MUCH FOR RESILIENCY.

SO WHETHER THAT WAS HOMES, MAKING SURE THEY HAD A PLACE TO STORE WATER, FOR DROUGHT, STORM WATER CAPTURE, OR WHETHER IT WAS WITH ENERGY, MAKING SURE THERE´S A RELIABLE ENERGY SOURCE, SO INVESTING MORE IN SOLAR IN CERTAIN PLACES.

OR EVEN JUST A BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY GUARANTEED LOAN PROJECT THAT WE VISITED THAT CAN BE THAT STORE.

IT WAS A BUSINESS OWNER WHO WAS MAKING SURE HE WAS ALSO -- HAD A STRATEGY FOR HOW TO MAKE ICE, BECAUSE THAT BECOMES A HUGE ISSUE WHEN THERE´S POWER OUTAGES.

SO IT STRUCK ME THAT FOLKS ARE RESPONDING TO THE CHALLENGES ON THE GROUND BY PLANNING FOR WHAT RESILIENCY NEEDS TO LOOK LIKE IN THOSE CASES.

>> MY HUSBAND IS ALWAYS TRYING TO TELL THE KIDS, PRIOR PLANNING PREVENTS POOR PERFORMANCE, RIGHT?

BUT IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IT HAS TO BE DONE BECAUSE OF THE CLIMATE WE´RE IN, OUR ISOLATION, OUR INABILITY TO GO AND GET SUPPLIES IN A WAY THAT SOMEONE ELSE CAN HAVE IT TRUCKED IN OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT INVESTED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, ACTUALLY OVER $15 MILLION IN THE LAST YEAR, WITH ABOUT TWO-THIRDS GOING TO SINGLE AND MULTIFAMILY HOUSING.

CAN YOU SHARE YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON SOME OF THE EXPECTED WAYS YOU´VE SEEN FUNDING CHALLENGES ADDRESSED IN OTHER RURAL AREAS TO INCREASE THE SUCCESS RATE OF USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING?

>> THIS IS SOMETHING WE TALKED ABOUT WHILE I WAS VISITING IS THAT WE´VE INVESTED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING, BUT THERE ARE STILL REAL HOUSING CHALLENGES, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I´VE SEEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS WHERE FOLKS HAVE THE ABILITY TO BLEND FUNDS -- I WAS IN KENTUCKY RECENTLY, AND THEY KNOW THAT OUR PROGRAMS, WHETHER IT´S A MORE AFFORDABLE MORTGAGE OR A SELF-HELP PROGRAM, ON THEIR OWN THEY DON´T ALWAYS ACHIEVE WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, AND SO SOME NONPROFITS HAVE FIGURED OUT HOW TO LAYER FUNDING, STARTING WITH A HUD SITE PREPARATION.

AND THEN MAYBE USE OUR SELF-HELP FUNDING TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE LABOR CHALLENGES.

BUT COUPLE THAT WITH WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT FUNDS FROM ANOTHER ENTITY, AND LASTLY, USING OUR MORTGAGE TO MAKE THE MORTGAGE MORE AFFORDABLE.

SO THAT LAYERING CAN REALLY HELP, BUT IT DOES TAKE A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE, RIGHT, THAT TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND EXPERTISE.

PART OF THE REASON I THINK KENTUCKY´S BEEN SO HELPFUL IS BECAUSE THEY RECEIVED A RURAL COMMUNITIES DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE GRANT THAT HELPS PROVIDE SOME OF THAT CAPACITY BUILDING.

>> IS THAT SOMETHING THAT IS REGULARLY PUT OUT THERE FOR A GRANT?

>> IT´S SOMETHING THAT´S REGULARLY AVAILABLE, AND I WOULD LOVE TO MAKE SURE YOUR TEAM HAS MORE INFORMATION ABOUT IT.

>> GREAT.

IT´S SO INTERESTING, BECAUSE WHEN I CAME TO CONGRESS AND SAID I WAS GOING TO BE ON THE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE, OF COURSE WE WERE THINKING ABOUT FARMERS, LIVESTOCK, FISHING, BUT PEOPLE DON´T REALLY COMPREHEND HOW VAST THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE´S REACH IS.

AS YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT WITH ENERGY AND HOUSING, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, BROADBAND, ET CETERA, THAT´S ALL THE RESPONSIBILITY AND THE SUPPORT OF USDA IN RURAL AREAS.

BUT OF COURSE, YOU GUYS ALSO DEAL WITH FARMERS, RIGHT?

AND DURING OUR ROUND TABLE WE DISCUSSED METHODS THAT WE USE TO -- FOR MACHINERY AND ACQUISITION FUNDING RURAL, ISOLATED DISTRICTS LIKE THE VIRGIN ISLAND, COOPERATIVE SERVE IS AN EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE TO DIRECT RESOURCES AND FACILITATE PARTNERSHIPS.

CAN YOU SHARE YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES THAT EXIST IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AGRICULTURE SECTOR?

AND THE WAYS IN WHICH COOPERATIVES CAN ADVANCE FARM COMMUNITIES AS A WHOLE?

>> WHEN IT COMES TO THE CHALLENGES, I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS YOU SAID REALLY STRUCK ME, IS HOW ISOLATED THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ARE, AND I CERTAINLY HAVE SEEN THAT EVEN JUST FROM THE CONTEXT OF WHAT RESOURCES, WHAT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE TO FARMERS WHO MIGHT WANT TO START A COOPERATIVE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> YEAH.

>> FINDING IF THERE ARE NONPROFITS OR OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE WORKING IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CAN BE A CHALLENGE.

ONE OF THE MOST COMMON RESOURCES I SUGGEST TO FOLKS IF THEY´RE TRYING TO SET UP A COOPERATIVE IS WORKING WITH A NONPROFIT THAT´S RECEIVED ASSISTANCE FROM US TO HELP SET UP COOPERATIVES, BUT THERE AREN´T ANY RECIPIENTS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THAT´S ONE OF THE CHALLENGES TERM OF OPPORTUNITY WHAT IS I SAW IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS A REALLY DIVERSE SET OF FARMERS WHO ARE STARTING TO SHOW INTEREST IN REVIVING THE COOPERATIVE WORK THERE, AND BOTH EXPERIENCED FARMERS WHO HAVE BEEN PARTICIPATED IN COOPERATIVES BEFORE AND KNOW THE OPPORTUNITIES BUT ALSO THE NEEDS AND TIME IT TAKES TO SET ONE UP, AND ALSO NEW FARMERS WHO ARE REALLY INTERESTED IN STARTING NEW MARKETS AND LEVERAGING THAT COLLECTIVE POWER TO HAVE TO BUILD SUPPORT FOR MORE PREDICTABLE MARKETS.

SO I THINK THERE´S A REAL OPPORTUNITY THERE, AND HAPPY AS YOU IDENTIFY FOLKS WHO WANT TO WORK TOGETHER, BECAUSE IT DOES -- FARMING TAKES A LOT OF WORK, AND SETTING UP A COOPERATIVE TAKES SOME MORE WORK, BUT I´M EAGER TO FIND POTENTIAL PARTNERS WHO MIGHT HELP PROVIDE THAT ASSISTANCE IN SETTING UP A COOPERATIVE, BECAUSE THAT CAN OPEN UP SO MANY MORE RESOURCES AT RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN TERMS OF ELIGIBILITY.

>> I´VE THOUGHT ABOUT MAYBE WE DON´T NEED TO LOOK AT THE TRADITIONAL PARTNERS, RIGHT?

MAYBE IT´S A UNIVERSITY.

MAYBE IT´S NOT A UNIVERSITY IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

MAYBE IT´S ONE THAT WORKED WITH OTHER COOPERATIVES IN ANOTHER RURAL AREA, ISOLATED AREA.

OR MAYBE IT´S, YOU KNOW, NOT NECESSARILY A NONPROFIT, BUT A BUSINESS VENTURE THAT SEES TO OPPORTUNITIES OF SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF A COOPERATIVE FOR VALUE ADD FOODS OR, YOU KNOW, EXPORTING GOODS AT THE END USER.

OR MAYBE IT´S IN OUR HOTEL AND TOURISM ASSOCIATION THAT HAS A NEED FOR THESE FARMERS TO REALLY SUPPLY FARM TO TABLE FOODS, YOU KNOW?

OR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SO THAT WE CAN QUALIFY FOR MORE FOOD PROGRAMS.

YOU KNOW, FOR FOOD SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

SO I THINK THAT´S REALLY AN INTERESTING IDEA THAT WE NEED TO THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX ABOUT THE REGULAR WAYS.

YOU KNOW, I HAD A CONVERSATION ONE TIME.

WE HAVE ONLY ONE CERTIFIED ORGANIC FARMER, AND HE TALKS ABOUT HOW SO MANY VIRGIN ISLAND FARMERS ARE OPERATING UNDER ORGANIC CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT THEY HAVEN´T GOTTEN THE CERTIFICATION.

HOW DO YOU GET THE CERTIFIER TO COME DOWN?

YOU NEED TO SET ASIDE AND DO REPORTING.

SO MAKING THE SUPPORT SYSTEM THROUGH A COOPERATIVE THAT COULD ALLOW SO MANY OF OUR FARMERS WHO ARE ALREADY DOING IT TO ACTUALLY GET THE STAMP SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE A DIFFERENT MARKET AVAILABLE TO THEM, WE´RE SO GRATEFUL FOR BEING ABLE TO WORK WITH YOU AND YOUR TEAM.

YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN REALLY AN INCREDIBLE RESOURCE, I THINK, AND YOU´RE CORRECT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE VERY MATURE FARMERS WHO HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR A WHILE AND CAN TELL YOU THE INS AND OUTS AND WHAT WORK DID DOESN´T WORK AND GIVE YOU HISTORY, WHICH IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTANDING WHAT WERE THE PITFALLS IN THE PAST.

AND I THINK THE ENTHUSIASM AND THE OUT OF THE BOX THINKING OF THE YOUNG FARMERS, IF WE COMPARE THEM TOGETHER, THAT WILL BE SOMETHING THAT´S REALLY INSTRUCTIVE AND VERY, VERY HELPFUL TO PEOPLE.

ARE THERE PLACES THAT YOU´VE SEEN IN THE PAST THAT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OVERCOME SOME OF THESE CHALLENGES?

DO YOU HAVE EXAMPLES OF WHERE YOU´VE SEEN THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I WAS IN NORTH DAKOTA, AND -- >> VERY DIFFERENT PLACE.

>> VERY DIFFERENT PLACE.

VERY DIFFERENT PLACE.

BUT THE CHALLENGES OF, HOW DO YOU GET FOLKS WHO AREN´T AS USED TO A COOPERATIVE MODEL TO GET EXCITED ABOUT IT?

IN NORTH DAKOTA, THE RURAL -- COOPERATIVE RECEIVED FUNDS TO HELP SET UP OTHER COOPERATIVES, AND THAT RELATIONSHIP IS REALLY INTERESTING, BECAUSE THEY HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH THE COMMUNITY.

THEY´RE A BOARD ALREADY, SO THEY´RE COMING FROM THE PLACES THAT THEY SERVE, AND SO THAT HELPS CREATE REALLY INTERESTING MODELS.

AND ONE OF THE COOPERATIVES THAT THEY HELP SET UP WAS FOR CHILD CARE.

>> OH, NICE.

>> IT CREATED THIS RESPONSE, THIS OPPORTUNITY THAT OTHERWISE WOULDN´T HAVE EXISTED.

BUT YOU´RE RIGHT, EVERY PLACE IS DIFFERENT.

AND THE LEVEL OF ISOLATION WHEN IT COMES TO BEING IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS MAKES THE OPPORTUNITY TO COLLECTIVELY ORGANIZE THEIR POWER EVEN STRONGER.

>> YEAH, I THINK THE IMPACT CAN BE SO MUCH GREATER WHEN YOU´RE IN A SMALL PLACE LIKE THAT.

NORTH DAKOTA, WE THINK OF IT AS VERY DIFFERENT TOPOGRAPHY OR EVEN THE CLIMATE, BUT I THINK PLACES LIKE NORTH DAKOTA, WHICH IN MANY WAYS ARE ALSO ISOLATED, CREATES CULTURES THAT ARE SIMILAR.

YOU KNOW, HESITANCY AND DISTRUST AND, YOU KNOW, IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW THOUGHTS AND IDEAS ARE KIND OF SLOIER TO TAKE HOLD.

ARE SIMILAR IN SOME RESPECTS.

THEY´RE KIND OF ALSO VERY MONOLITHIC, YOU KNOW, AREAS, OR PEOPLE ARE VERY SIMILAR TO ONE ANOTHER, LIKE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND LIKE NORTH DAKOTA.

SO MAYBE WE NEED TO GO TO NORTH DAKOTA OR INVITE SOME OF THEM DOWN TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I´M SURE THEY´D RATHER COME DOWN TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WHERE WE COULD GET SOME THOUGHTS AND SHARE IDEAS WITH THEM.

BUT TO SUM UP THIS PART OF THE DISCUSSION AND WITH YOUR TRIP TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IN MIND, WHAT ARE THINGS OUR AREA SEEMS TO BE DOING WELL, AND WHAT ARE TWO OR THREE TOP LINE STEPS WE NEED TO DO NEXT?

>> WHAT I´M IMPRESSED WITH IS HOW MUCH PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO GIVE THEIR TIME FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, WHETHER IT WAS A BUSINESS OWNER OR FARMERS WHO WILL TAKE -- AS BUSY AS THEY ARE, TAKE TIME TO HAVE A CONVERSATION, WHETHER IT WAS OUR OWN RURAL DEVELOPMENT EMPLOYEES WHO LOVE THE PLACE THEY LIVE AND ARE SO DEDICATED TO IT.

>> SHOUT-OUT TO KIMMY.

>> SHOUT-OUT TO KIMMY.

AND WHETHER IT -- I FOUND THAT EVERYWHERE WE WENT, SOMETIMES WE ENDED UP SEEING THE SAME PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY´RE ALWAYS SIGNING UP TO DO THE WORK, AND I THINK THAT´S A REAL STRENGTH.

THE OTHER PIECE I MENTIONED IN TERMS OF STRENGTH WAS THIS WILLINGNESS AND KNOWLEDGE YOU´VE GOT TO PLAN AHEAD, AND I SAW THAT ESPECIALLY IN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SPACE.

SO REALLY EXCITED TO SEE THE LEVEL OF PLANNING THAT´S GONE INTO TRYING TO GET HIGH-SPEED INTERNET TO EVERYONE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, AND THAT´S IMPORTANT TO ME.

ONE OF MY FORMER STAFFERS WHEN I WAS IN CONGRESS IS FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, AND OCCASIONALLY SHE WOULD WORK WHEN SHE WAS VISITING FAMILY THERE.

WE ALWAYS KNEW WHEN THAT WAS HAPPENING, BECAUSE THE INTERNET WAS NOT AS RELIABLE.

>> RIGHT, RIGHT.

>> AND I THINK ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING BACK PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEIR HOME AND WANT TO STAY IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BUT NEED TO HAVE THAT RESTORED.

SO SOME OF THE CHALLENGES ARE MAKING SURE THAT WE´RE STRONG PARTNERS AND PROVIDING THAT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, RIGHT?

HOW DO WE STACK HOME FINANCING FUNDS BETTER?

OR HOW DO WE HELP WITH BUILDING A COOPERATIVE?

AND WHERE ARE THE PARTNERS IN THE REGION WHO HAVE THAT ISLAND EXPERTISE THAT CAN SUPPORT THOSE NEXT STEPS?

>> COOL, VERY COOL.

SO, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I LIKE TO DO WITH GUESTS -- YOU KNOW, I HAVE SOME YOUNG FOLKS ON MY TEAM, AND THEY WANT US TO NOT JUST TALK ABOUT THE SUBJECT MATTER AS WELL.

SHOUT-OUT TO SHAMA ON THIS ONE TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THEMSELVES AS WE WRAP UP EACH EPISODE.

SO, CAN YOU SHARE A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A CONGRESSWOMAN FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF SERVING ON THE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE AND HOW THAT´S HELPED OR HURT OR CHANGED THE ROLE THAT YOU TAKE TO BEING THE UNDERSECRETARY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT?

>> I LOVED GETTING TO SERVE ON THE AG COMMITTEE WITH YOU.

YOU WERE SUCH A GREAT SUB COMMITTEE CHAIR.

ONE OF THE THINGS I REALLY APPRECIATED IN THE -- IN THE COMMITTEE WAS HOW YOU END UP GETTING TO WORK AS MUCH REGIONALLY AS YOU DO IN OTHER DIVIDES.

IT´S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT PARTY.

IT´S, OH, WE CARE ABOUT SPECIALTY CROPS.

LET´S TALK THROUGH THAT.

OR RESEARCH WILL REALLY DEFINE THE NEXT GENERATION OF FARMING AND FARM WORKERS AND AG EMPLOYEES, SO HOW DO WE HELP INVEST IN RESEARCH?

SO I SO APPRECIATED THE CHANCE TO GET TO FIND WAYS TO WORK WITH ANYONE THROUGH THE AG COMMITTEE, AND THAT´S CERTAINLY SERVED ME AT USDA AS WELL.

THE OTHER PIECE ABOUT SERVING IN CONGRESS IS I REALLY RESPECT THE WORK THAT YOU DO AND KNOW MY ROLE IS DIFFERENT, RIGHT?

AS WE GO INTO FARMVILLE CONVERSATIONS, FOR EXAMPLE, AS CONGRESS MAKES THOSE DECISIONS, THINKING ABOUT WHAT INFORMATION WE CAN SUPPLY AS THE ONES WHO WILL BE CHARGED WITH IMPLEMENTING IT.

AND HOW DO WE MAKE PLANS FOR THAT IN THE MEANTIME?

>> VERY GOOD.

NOW WE´RE GOING TO GET A LITTLE MORE PERSONAL.

I LOVE READING, AND I ALSO AM REALLY INTO, LIKE, MOVIES AS WELL.

I TRY TO WATCH SERIES.

MY HUSBAND SAYS HIS -- I THOUGHT I HAD A SHORT ATTENTION SPAN.

AS SOON AS HE SEES ME WATCHING SOMETHING, HE´S LIKE, IS THIS A SERIES?

I DON´T KNOW IF I WANT TO COMMIT TO TEN EPISODES OF THIS.

NO, NO.

AND NO.

A LIMITED SERIES MAYBE, BUT NOT THE TWO AND THREE SEASON ONES.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN A FOLLOWER OF "BILLIONS" AND "SUCCESSION", SOME OF THE POWER SERIES AS WELL, BUT I´M ALSO AN AVID READER.

I LOVE READING HISTORICAL -- I´M A REAL HISTORY BUFF.

WHAT IS MAYBE SOMETHING THAT YOU´VE WATCHED ON NETFLIX OR TV THAT YOU REALLY LOVED OR A BOOK THAT YOU´VE READ THAT YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH EVERYONE?

>> WELL, IN TERMS OF TV I JUST HAVE TO SAY I´M A REAL "TED LASSO" FAN.

>> AH!

SECOND SEASON WASN´T AS GOOD AS THE FIRST TWO ME.

OR DO YOU THINK YOU JUST GOT USED TO IT.

>> THAT´S WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY, IF YOU´RE NOT -- IF YOUR HUSBAND ISN´T AS INTO THE WHOLE LONG SEASON THING, YOU COULD JUST WATCH THE FIRST SEASON AND GET SO MUCH JOY OUT OF THAT AND RECOGNIZE IT´S NOT ALL ABOUT WINNING IT´S HOW YOU SHOW UP TO THE GAME.

>> I DON´T KNOW ABOUT THAT.

I LIKE TO WIN [ LAUGHTER ] >> BUT YOU COULD DO ONE SEASON.

>> DID YOU WATCH IT DURING THE PANDEMIC, OR DID YOU WATCH IT AFTER?

>> AT THE VERY END OF THE PANDEMIC AND COMING OUT OF IT.

I WAS LATE TO THE GAME.

I DID NOT BELIEVE ALL THE HYPE, BUT I´M REALLY GRATEFUL.

>> IT´S A BEAUTIFUL SERIES, IT IS.

>> IT GIVES PEOPLE PERMISSION TO BE TRULY THEMSELVES AND TO EXPLORE AND DIVE INTO THE AWKWARD BUT BEST PARTS OF OURSELVES.

>> MM.

IS THERE AN AWKWARD PART OF YOU?

>>.

[ LAUGHTER ] YES.

I THINK THE BIGGEST AWKWARD PART ABOUT ME IS I EXPRESS MY NERVOUSNESS BY FORGETTING EVERYTHING.

KEYS, CARD, EVERYTHING.

>> ANY BOOKS ON ANYTHING?

>> JUST RECENTLY I FINISHED READING MICHAEL LEWIS´ FIFTH RISK.

>> REALLY?

HE´S THE GUY WHO WROTE LIARS, POKER, ALL THAT STUFF.

>> YES.

HE WROTE SOMETHING ON COVID, PREMONITION.

FIFTH RISK IS REALLY GOOD.

IT´S ABOUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IT´S ABOUT ALL THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN THAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED AND WHY THE AGENCIES MATTER.

COMING IN AS A POLITICAL APPOINTEE, I CAME IN REALIZING THERE WERE FOLKS WHO WORKED FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT LONGER THAN I HAD BEEN ALIVE.

WHAT THIS DOES IS TELL THOSE STORIES.

FOR EXAMPLE AT NOAA, ALL THE WORK THEY DO TO MAKE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR WEATHER PREDICTION, FOR EVERYONE, RIGHT?

OR THE WORK THE COAST GUARD IS DOING, CREATING A NEW MODEL THAT HELPS THEM SAVE PEOPLE FASTER.

ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT WE DON´T KNOW BUT HAPPEN TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY AND TO MAKE IT BETTER.

>> WHEN I WAS A POLITICAL APPOINTEE AT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, SOME OF THE CAREER PEOPLE, THERE WAS ONE GUY WHO HAD BEEN -- HE HAD COME TO THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AS AN HONORS PROGRAM GRADUATE FROM LAW SCHOOL, AND HE WAS HIRED BY ROBERT KENNEDY, AND HE WAS STILL THERE.

AND AFTER SEPTEMBER 11th, HE HAD TO USE A BLACKBERRY, AND HE STARTED USING IT, AND HE WAS LIKE, IF I REALIZE THAT I COULD CONVERT TO THE TECH SPACE, I WOULD HAVE LEFT THIS JOB LONG AGO.

BUT THAT WASN´T TRUE.

BUT I REMEMBER PEOPLE LIKE HIM WOULD ALWAYS CALL US THE CHRISTMAS HELP, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WE´RE HERE FOR A SHORT WHILE, BUT THEY HAVE THAT CONTINUITY OF EXPERIENCE AND THE KNOW-HOW THAT KEEPS ALL OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MOVING ALL THE TIME, RIGHT?

>> THAT´S IT.

>> WE WERE SO HAPPY TO HAVE YOU IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, AND WE GOT TO SEE -- YOU WALKED ON THE WATER FRONT WITH US WHEN A CRUISE SHIP CAME IN AND GOT TO SEE SOME OF THE SMALLER BUSINESSES.

I SAW YOU PURCHASE SOMETHING.

WHAT DID YOU GET?

>> I GOT SOME OF THE PRESERVES.

I WAS LOOKING FOR THE TAMARIND.

THEY WERE OUT.

I GOT TO -- IS IT SOUR BERRY?

>> SOURSOP.

I LIKE THE TAMARIND.

I LIKE IT WHEN IT´S SPICY.

I DO NOT LIKE SWEET AND SOUR.

I LIKE SALT AND SWEET OR SWEET AND, YOU KNOW, SPICY.

>> TAMARIND HAS ALL SORTS OF INTERESTING CONNECTIONS.

I KNOW IT FROM MEXICO AND BEING ON THE BORDER THERE.

TAMARINDO IS A GREAT, SWEET TAMARIND DRINK.

BUT MY HUSBAND IS MARRIED TO SOMEONE FROM INDIA, AND THEY HAVE A CHUTNEY.

I´M GETTING ALL THE TAMARIND FLAVORS.

>> IN MEXICO, IT´S ALWAYS ABOUT THE GREEN CHILE, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I´VE TAKEN IT FOR GRANTED.

IT´S ONE OF THE FOUR FOOD GROUPS.

I HAVE A FREEZER FULL OF GAME AND GREEN CHILE.

VENISON AND GREEN CHILE.

>> WHAT ARE THE WAYS YOU USE GREEN CHILE?

>> ANYTHING.

SOPA, SOUP, BUT ALSO ON A CHEESEBURGER.

I HAVE HAD GREEN CHILE LASAGNA, MAC AND CHEESE.

ALL SORTS OF WAYS.

>> WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT, YOU COME FROM A MULTIETHNIC FAMILY, RIGHT?

HOW IS THAT?

HOW DO YOU BLEND THAT?

>> THAT´S SUCH A FUN QUESTION.

YOU KNOW, IT IS -- I THINK GROWING UP IT WAS A CHALLENGE, RIGHT?

HOW DO YOU LEAN INTO YOUR IDENTITY RECOGNIZING YOU REPRESENT A LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE´S HISTORIES AND BACKGROUNDS.

MY GRANDPARENTS IMMIGRATED FROM MEXICO ON MY DAD´S SIDE.

MY DAD´S FIRST LANGUAGE WAS SPANISH, BUT GROWING UP, HE CHOSE NOT TO TEACH ME SPANISH BECAUSE HE FACED ALL THE DISCRIMINATION IN SCHOOL, AND BEING TOLD NOT TO SPEAK IT.

THEN MY MOM IS A MINISTER´S DAUGHTER AND GREW UP ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY.

MY GRANDPARENTS EVENTUALLY SETTLED IN COLORADO, SO I GREW UP SPENDING SUMMERS WITH MY AUNT AND UNCLE ON THEIR RANCH.

>> IS IT CORRECT THAT YOU´RE LUTHERAN?

>> IT IS.

>> WHICH IS WHAT I AM.

WHICH WAS AT ONE TIME THE OFFICIAL CHURCH OF -- IT IS THE OFFICIAL CHURCH OF DENMARK AND WAS THE PREDOMINANT CHURCH IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> I DID NOT REALIZE THAT.

>> RIGHT, BECAUSE OF THE DANISH OWNERSHIP.

>> SO, WHAT´S INTERESTING IS MY HUSBAND AND I FOUND THE LUTHERAN CHURCH.

MY MOM AND I GREW UP METHODIST.

AND WE COME FROM A LONG LINE OF WOMEN WHO HAVE SEARCHED FOR FAITH AND FOUND THEIR OWN HOME.

FOR ME IT WAS LUTHERAN IN NEW MEXICO, RECOGNIZING THAT EVERY -- EVERYONE LEARNS THEIR FAITH OR SEES THEIR FAITH DIFFERENTLY, AND IT´S THE RIGHT HOME FOR US.

>> WE -- MY HUSBAND AND I, WE HAVE DUAL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP AT OUR HOME CHURCH IN CHRISTIANSTED AT THE CHURCH THERE, BUT THEN ALSO AT THE CHURCH THAT´S RIGHT BEHIND THE SUPREME COURT, REFORMATION LUTHERAN, AS WELL, WHICH HAS A RANGE OF INCREDIBLE SOCIAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS AS WELL THAT WE LOVE BEING PART OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA, ENGAGED IN THAT.

BUT BEING IN THE VERGEN ISLANDS, WHAT WAS ONE OF THE REALLY BRIGHT SPOTS, INTERESTING FUN THINGS THAT YOU DID OR EXPERIENCED?

>> SO, INTERESTING WAS JUST GETTING AROUND.

A GREAT -- >> THE LEFT SIDE?

>> I HAD A GREAT TEAM MEMBER WHO WAS DRIVING, AND SHE PICKED UP THE CAR THE NIGHT BEFORE AND SHE DID SUCH A GREAT JOB.

SHOUT-OUT TO REBECCA.

JUST I NEVER FELT AT RISK.

[ LAUGHTER ] BUT I DID -- THE CLOSEST I DID WAS THE NIGHT AFTER WE ATE AT KIM AND FRANK´S PLACE, IT WAS JUST SUCH A BEAUTIFUL RESTAURANT ON THE HILL.

>> YEAH.

>> A CLUB, RIGHT?

>> YES, YES.

>> INCREDIBLE FOOD.

BUT WE STAYED FOR SO LONG IT WAS DARK AND I WAS A LITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT COMING BACK, AND REBECCA DID A STELLAR JOB STAYING TO THE CORRECT SIDE OF THE ROAD.

>> STAYING ON THE LEFT.

>> NOT THE RIGHT SIDE.

>> PAT AND FRANK ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE RESTAURANTEURES ON ST. CROIX.

MY HUSBAND AND I, WE´RE PART OF THEIR ADVERTISING.

WHEN WE WERE A YOUNG COUPLE, YOU KNOW.

I HAD LOCKS BACK THEN, AND WE WOULD ALWAYS HANG OUT AT THE BAR.

BUT THEY´VE JUST REALLY EVOLVED AND DONE SO MANY INTERESTING THINGS.

THEY DO REALLY TRY TO DO FARM TO TABLE IN THEIR WORK, AND SO MANY OF THE RESTAURANTS ON ST. CROIX DO THAT.

I THINK THAT´S ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS OF THE RESTAURANTS ON ST. CROIX.

BUT I ALWAYS FOUND THAT IT´S THE TURN IS WHEN YOU HAVE MAYBE POTENTIAL DIFFICULTY WITH STAYING ON THE LEFT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WE ALWAYS TRAY TO BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

WE CAN´T BE JUST REGULAR.

WE ALWAYS TRY TO BE DIFFERENT AND I THINK THE LEFT IS PART OF OUR LEFT BRAIN THINKING MAYBE A LITTLE BIT DOWN THERE.

BUT WE´RE GRATEFUL TO HAVE YOU, AND I´M GLAD YOU ENJOYED THE FOOD.

>> YEAH, THEY DID AN INCREDIBLE JOB.

>> I´LL HAVE TO BRING SOME GREEN CHILES DOWN THERE AND SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO WITH THAT.

>> THERE YOU GO.

GOT A PLAN.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> WELL, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE WITH US AND BEING PART OF THE WASHINGTON REPORT.

THANK YOU FOR BEING A GREAT FRIEND.

THANK YOU FOR SERVING -- ELECTING TO SERVE YOUR COUNTRY AS WHETHER YOU´RE A MEMBER OF CONGRESS OR AS A POLITICAL APPOINTEE, MEMBER OF THE PRESIDENT´S CABINET AND ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU DO.

IT´S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELF WHO ARE WILLING TO STEP OUT OF THEMSELVES AND GIVE.

I KNOW THAT YOU BEING HERE IN WASHINGTON IS NOT AS WONDERFUL AS BEING IN NEW MEXICO WHERE YOUR HOME IS, SO THANKS TO THAT.

AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME ON THE SHOW AND FOR SPENDING TIME IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AND VIRGIN ISLANDERS SAID THAT YOU WERE GREAT AND THEY´D LOVE FOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM TO COME BACK AND THEY WON´T ASK YOU ANY QUESTIONS.

YOU CAN ENJOY AND SIT WITH US DURING ANY OF THE CARNIVALS OR FESTIVALS THAT WE HAVE GOING ON, OKAY?

>> CONGRESSWOMAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING SUCH A GREAT FRIEND AND MENTOR.

>> THANK YOU.

TO ALL MY VIRGIN ISLANDERS, I WANT YOU ALL TO STAY V.I.

STRONG AND HAVE A GREAT DAY.

♫♫