[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 93 (Tuesday, July 12, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     THE HONORABLE FRITZ E. LAWAETZ

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN

                           of virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 12, 2005

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a native son 
of the Virgin Islands, affectionately known as ``The Bull from 
Annaly,'' the Honorable Frits E. Lawaetz, who passed away early this 
month. Senator Lawaetz was a true legend in our Caribbean American 
territory as a successful rancher, businessman, legislator, community 
leader, churchman and family man.
  Born in Little La Grange, St. Croix on October 5, 1907, Senator 
Lawaetz was the son of Carl and Marie Lawaetz. A tall and imposing 
figure who was larger than life, Senator Lawaetz was fluent in English, 
Danish, Spanish and ``Crucian.'' He was educated in Denmark and 
apprenticed to Danish farms until his return to St. Croix in 1925. He 
worked in various roles in the sugar industry as a cowboy and a manager 
in St. Croix at the La Grange Sugar Factory and in Puerto Rico at the 
United Puerto Rico Sugar Company.
  Mr. Speaker, In 1940, Senator Lawaetz became the General Manager of 
Estate Annaly, owned by the late Ward Canady. There, he developed the 
largest private agricultural concern in the Virgin Islands with a 400-
acre sugar cane farm and a 1500-head cattle ranch. He was instrumental 
in developing the famous ``Senepol'' brand of cattle, a world 
recognized sturdy breed of cattle in 1954. He began an export business, 
exporting bulls throughout the Caribbean, helping to improve the 
regional stock.
  In partnership with Canady and his eldest son Hans, Senator Lawaetz 
founded Annaly Farms in 1964. He formed the Virgin Islands Senepol 
Breed Association in 1977 and served on its board until 1988 when 
headquarters for the association moved to the United States and became 
the Senepol Cattle Breeders Association with 500 breeders worldwide. 
The association now exports cattle, semen and embryos of the hardy 
breed to Australia, Africa and the Far East. The Breeders Association 
has honored Senator Lawaetz by naming its highest award the Frits 
Eduard Lawaetz Lifetime Achievement Award.
  Mr. Speaker, an avid sportsman, Senator Lawaetz founded the Annaly 
Athletics in the 1950s, which sent seven local athletes on to play 
professional baseball, including major leaguers Joe Christopher (Mets) 
Julio Navarro (Tigers) and Elmo Plaskett (Pirates).

  Serving for 20 years in the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, 
Senator Lawaetz was first elected in 1954 under the new Organic Act. He 
served from 1955 to 1970 and then again from 1974 to 1979, before 
retiring at the age of 71. He was known as the ``People's Senator'' and 
is still the longest serving senator from St. Croix. Married to 
childhood sweetheart, Bodil Tornoe for 63 years until her death in 
1999, Lawaetz had three sons, Hans, Bent and Frits (deceased) who 
followed his footsteps in agriculture and community service.
  Mr. Speaker, Senator Lawaetz received many honors and commendations 
in his distinguished life including being named to the order of the 
Commander of the Danneborg bestowed on him by the Queen of Denmark who 
he hosted on her visit to the Virgin Islands in May, 1976. He was named 
to the ``Personalities of the Caribbean'', the International Guide to 
Who's Who in the West Indies, Who's Who in American Politics, Who's Who 
in the South and South West and the Notable American Award. He served 
as a Delegate to the 1980 Democratic Presidential Convention. In 1982, 
the Lagoon Street Homes in Frederiksted were named in his honor in 
recognition of his efforts in their establishment and for his many 
years of dedication to the people of the Virgin Islands.
  Senator Lawaetz also received the Distinguished Service Award from 
the Virgin Islands Chapter of the Boy Scouts of America, the 
Outstanding Service Award from the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in 
Frederiksted, and he was appointed by the Danish Council Blak of the 
Virgin Islands as Honorable Trustee of Danish Cemeteries on St. Croix. 
In 2000, a book on his life, entitled ``The Bull From Annaly'' was 
written by Priscilla Watkins.
  Mr. Speaker, until recently, Senator Lawaetz could be seen at every 
significant community activity. He will be missed by many. I will 
personally miss his words of advice, or praise or caution, whichever he 
felt was needed and which was always generously given. His memory will 
always loom large in my mind and in that of the entire Territory. His 
many contributions will endure as a lasting legacy for the benefit of 
many generations to come. One can truly say that the Virgin Islands is 
a better place because he passed this way.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my family, staff and the entire Virgin 
Islands community I extend condolences to his family and friends and 
our enduring gratitude for his service to the U.S. Virgin Islands, 
Denmark and the United States of America.

                          ____________________