[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 70 (Friday, May 14, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H3173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         IN MEMORY OF LEON HESS

  (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, last week, while our Nation lost one 
of its premier business leaders with the passing of Leon Hess, the 
owner of the New York Jets, my district, the United States Virgin 
Islands, lost more. We lost a valued friend.
  Hess Oil of the Virgin Islands, which he established in the 1960's as 
an important part of his larger conglomerate Amerada Hess, continues to 
play an important role in the economy of the Virgin Islands, employing 
hundreds of Virgin Islanders.
  But beyond the jobs and support of our local business community, he 
contributed substantially to St. Croix, where the refinery is housed, 
and to the entire Virgin Islands.
  In addition to scholarships and support of local charities, his 
contributions include the St. Croix Central Police Station and a major 
portion of the St. Croix Vocational High School. After the major 
hurricanes which hit our islands in the past 10 years, his help and 
support of some of the plant operations were integral to our recovery.
  Mr. Hess' most important contribution, however, is the example of his 
life. We join the many, great and small, who mourn his passing, and 
send our prayers to his wife Norma, son John, and daughters Marlene and 
Connie.
  He has left a legacy to our Islands which will never be forgotten.

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