[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 150 (Friday, October 31, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO KEITH FORBES

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. DONNA M. CHRISTIAN-GREEN

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 31, 1997

  Ms. CHRISTIAN-GREEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Mr. Keith 
Forbes, a fellow Virgin Islander, close family friend and one of the 
pillars of my childhood, who passed away last week. Mr. Forbes 
dedicated his life to the service of God, his family, and his 
community, making the Virgin Islands a better place due to his efforts.
  Keith Forbes was born on October 28, 1920 on the island of St. Croix. 
He served the St. John's Anglican Church Community in Christiansted for 
over 60 years in many capacities. As a young boy, he served as an 
acolyte, licensed lay reader, and later conducted outreach services at 
the correctional facilities and outlying areas of St. Croix. He also 
served on the Vestry where his duties included the position of junior 
and senior warden and vestry member emeritus.
  In 1944 Mr. Forbes began what would eventually span more than five 
decades of active Masonic involvement. He was installed as a Freemason 
in the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Puerto Rico and served as the past 
district deputy grandmaster and past district deputy grand instructor 
of that lodge. He became a founding member of the Caribbean Light Lodge 
No. 101, as well as a charter member of Master Masons Lodge of 
Anguilla, W. I. Mr. Forbes also held the positions of high priest of 
Zetland Chapter No. 359 St. Thomas; Supreme grand Royal Chapter of 
Royal Arch Masons of England; member Chapter Rose Croix, HRDM No. 48 
Jamaica, W. I.; Supreme Council 33 Degrees Masons of England of Wales; 
Past High Priest of Caanan Chapter No. 1, and past commander Knight's 
Templar.
  From 1952 to 1979, he began his association with the Federal judicial 
system, starting as a clerical assistant and retiring as the deputy 
clerk-in-charge, for the St. Croix Division of the U.S. District Court.
  Throughout the late sixties to the early eighties, he owned and 
operated ``The Peppermint Parlor'', a popular local restaurant, which 
served as a friendly family gathering place for the community.
  In 1988 he was named president of the board for Brodhurst Printery, 
Inc., parent company of the St. Croix Avis, the local newspaper for 
that island district, maintaining that position until his untimely 
death.
  He was a founding member of the Gentlemen of Jones, a charitable 
community organization that provides services to the people of St. 
Croix, especially renowned for their Christmas charity work in the city 
of Frederiksted.
  On behalf of the people of the Virgin islands of the United States, I 
salute Keith Lancelot Forbes for his dedicated service to God, his 
family, and community.