[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1628-E1629]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO JUDGE ALPHONSO CHRISTIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 26, 2005

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, the United States Virgin Islands has 
lost one of its outstanding success stories as prominent lawyer and 
Judge Alphonso Christian passed away Saturday, July 23, 2005.
  With the passing of this Native son we have lost a premiere trail 
blazer. This outstanding Virgin Islander, born in Frederiksted, St. 
Croix, made substantial contributions to the Territory and in 
particular to the island of St. Thomas, the place he sailed to as a 
young man to begin his career. St. Thomas became his home, and it is 
where he began a flourishing and illustrious career, raising his 
children to be another generation of a progressive Family that is 
especially renowned in St. Croix for its industriousness, hard work and 
diligence.
  Christian, 88, died of heart failure at Roy L. Schneider Hospital on 
St. Thomas. A jurist, attorney, government administrator, teacher and 
community activist, Christian had arisen from humble beginnings on St. 
Croix. Christian was born on August 2, 1916 to Peter and Wilhelmina 
Christian in Frederiksted. His well disciplined upbringing and strong 
will to succeed during his child hood set the tone for his achievements 
to come.
  He graduated as the Valedictorian of the Commercial Class at St. 
Patrick's and started as Clerk Typist at the Agricultural Station at 
Anna's Hope. He later came to St. Thomas where his speed and accuracy 
in this position paved the way for his becoming the Stenographer to Mr. 
Herbert Lockhart of the A.H. Lockhart & Co., a company that was the hub 
of all commercial activity on St. Thomas.
  He worked his way from stenographer to reporter, and served as 
secretary of the Virgin Islands Municipal Council, and all the while 
studied law by correspondence from the well know LaSalle School. 
Impressed by his legal intellect, although he had never practiced law, 
Christian was allowed to take the bar exam without having attended law 
school. He passed at his first attempt with high marks and was admitted 
to the V.I. Bar in 1949.

  Christian became involved with civic and political organizations 
while studying law by correspondence with the well-known LaSalle 
School.
  His activity in politics began with his involvement in the first 
political party, the V.I. Progressive Guide. That position was the 
springboard to other positions such as Executive Secretary to the 
Municipal Council and the Legislative Assembly.
  He was named legal aide to the Municipal Council of St. Thomas and 
St. John and the Legislative Assembly in 1949 and Judge of the Police 
Court in 1951. For the three years he served as Judge of the police 
Court, he also served as Coroner Recorder of Deeds, Chairman of the 
Board of Elections, United States Commissioner and Chairman of the 
Fourth of July Celebrations.
  In 1972, he was appointed Commissioner of Public Safety of the Virgin 
Islands and served in the position until 1975, when he practiced law 
full-time. In April 1978, he was named the first Senior Sitting Judge 
of the Territorial

[[Page E1629]]

Court of the Virgin Islands, now known as the Superior Court, and 
served until April 1993.
  Judge Alphonso Christian has served the Territory as a businessman, 
teacher, Attorney, Commissioner, Jurist, community activist and 
philanthropist. Judge Christian started his own business by opening and 
teaching at his own Commercial School, which he began in his living 
room and later transferred to his law office.
  He was also the Commissioner of Public Safety at the time when that 
Department also included the Fire Service and the Prison System. His 
extensive community involvement also included being a Charter Member of 
the Lions Club, Chairman of the Virgin Islands Carnival Committee for 
several years, serving on various community Boards, and using his legal 
experience and business acumen to help the Catholic Church in many 
areas. While serving in these many capacities, Christian also taught 
legal assistants at the University of the Virgin Islands.
  A man of many talents and blessed with wisdom, knowledge and 
persistence, Alphonso Christian will be long remembered and praised for 
his work in all areas in which he served his beloved home, but I am 
certain that he counts among his greatest contributions, as do we, 
those which have been made and will continue to be made through his 
children and grandchildren.
  Judge Alphonso and my father Judge Almeric Christian who preceded him 
in death by several years were respected colleagues and good friends. 
On behalf of my family, staff, and the Members of the 109th Congress of 
the United States of America, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Mrs. 
Ruth Christian, their children, Rubina. Delano, Alicia, including my 
dear friends Attorney Alphonso, Jr., and Dr. Cora Christian, 
grandchildren, sister Ann Abramson, family and friends.
  May God comfort and bless you during this time of loss and may you 
find peace and acceptance in knowing that Judge Christian left an 
admirable record of achievement and a stellar example for those of us 
to emulate when we want to reach for the stars and the world tells us 
we have nothing to stand on.
  His faith, persistence and hard work overcame great obstacles, and 
now he rests in God's eternal peace.

                          ____________________