CONSTITUTION OF THE TERRITORY
 of the
 UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS




 Preamble

 We, the people of the United States Virgin Islands reaffirm our adherence to the
Constitution of the United States, and in order to achieve full liberty and social equality
on a democratic basis, to establish a government responsive to the people, to promote
the general welfare, and to secure the complete fulfillment of human rights, do hereby
ordain and establish the Constitution for the Territory which, in the exercise of our
rights, we now create within our union with the United States of America. In so doing,
we declare and affirm that all men are born equally free and independent and have
certain inherent and indefeasible rights, among which are those of enjoying and
defending life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing and protecting property and
reputation, and of pursuing their own happiness.

 We understand that the democratic system of government is one in which the
will of the people is the source of public power; the political order is subordinate to the
rights of man; and the free and unrestrained participation of the citizen in collective
decisions is assured.
 We recognize and accept our pluralistic society with its multicultural pattern as
our heritage, and we are dedicated to continue our peaceful way of life in which
individual human values are above and beyond racial differences, social position and
economic interest;

 We hereby covenant and pray to establish our Territory as an example of
democracy at work in the Caribbean and as a cultural bridge for all the peoples of the
world.