[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 18 (Wednesday, February 12, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E230]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO HONOR GEORGE ALEXANDER OF BROOKLYN, NY ON HIS CENTENNIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES E. SCHUMER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 12, 1997

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dedicated and 
honorable citizen of Brooklyn, NY, upon his 100th birthday. Throughout 
his long and full life, Mr. Alexander has possessed a passion for the 
sea. In hopes of seeing the world, Mr. Alexander left his native 
Barbados at the early age of 13 as a deck boy aboard an Argentine flag 
vessel. Mr. Alexander realized his hopes and sailed around the world 
working on many foreign flag vessels. One notable vessel being the TSS 
Van Dyke, which was the largest passenger ship in the world at the 
time. The Van Dyke took Mr. Alexander to ports of call such as his 
native Barbados, St. Lucia, and Rio de Janeiro, as well as many ports 
throughout Europe.
  A naturalized citizen, Mr. Alexander answered his call to duty during 
both World Wars. Serving as a merchant marine, Mr. Alexander 
transported supplies and ammunition over the treacherous war-time seas 
to our troops aboard.
  As tribute to his dedication to seamanship, Mr. Alexander became a 
charter member of the Seafarers International Union [SIU] in 1938. He 
served brilliantly in the SIU until his retirement in April 1970.
  For the last 12 years of his seagoing career, Mr. Alexander ascended 
to the rank of port steward. Serving as port steward for Calmar Lines 
was Mr. Alexander's last assignment with the SIU before his retirement. 
Mr. Alexander has remained visible within his beloved union and after 
27 years of retirement, still visits the Brooklyn union hall to short 
the breeze with some of his old ship mates weekly.
  Mr. Alexander's outstanding career demonstrates the values of 
dedication, commitment, and hard work that all Americans value. I urge 
my colleagues to recognize and honor this distinguished sailor.

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