[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 149 (Wednesday, October 3, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2058]]
               TRIBUTE TO MR. ATHNEIL C. ``ADDIE'' OTTLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 3, 2007

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
brilliant Virgin Islander and friend, Mr. Athneil C. (Addie) Ottley, 
who has distinguished himself as a broadcaster, businessman, 
legislator, and community activist. This weekend, ``Addie'' as he is 
known to one and all will be honored in my district, St. Thomas, U.S. 
Virgin Islands for 25 years as the host of ``Face to Face'' a community 
talk show on our local public television station, WTJX.
  But, Madam Speaker, I am sure that the honors that will be bestowed 
on Addie on Saturday evening will go well beyond his service as a talk 
show host because in his inimitable style, he has been a leader in the 
broadcast industry in the Virgin Islands for more than 40 years.
  Born on November 19, 1941, Addie is 1 of the 11 children of the late 
Charlotte Amalie Postmaster. His interest in broadcasting began at a 
young age and he was given his own teen show at WIVI called ``Addie at 
Night.'' After graduating from Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic High 
School, he built his own ham radio station, KV4BW and was the first 
teenager to be granted a license in the territory. He now holds the 
highest FCC amateur license, the Extra Class license and the highest 
Commercial Radiotelephone operators license, the First Class General 
Radiotelephone Certificate with radar endorsement.
  Addie went on to graduate from the RCA Institute of Technology in New 
York, majoring in electronics and subsequently from Indiana Institute 
of Technology, majoring in electronics and engineering. Upon returning 
to the St. Thomas community in 1965, he worked as assistant manager and 
host of the ``Morning Show'' at WSTA. He later became the manager and 
then producer of the youth television show ``Youthquake.''
  Pursuing political aspirations, Addie ran for and won a seat in the 
U.S. Virgin Islands Legislature in 1970 and 1972. In 1973, he was 
appointed Lieutenant Governor in the administration of the late 
Governor Melvin H. Evans. He later served a third legislative term in 
1978 and was appointed executive assistant to the Commissioner of 
Commerce in 1981.
  It was in the 1980s, that Addie became the host of ``Face to Face'' 
the public television talk show that provides an hour long discussion 
of community news and events that goes beyond the daily news sound 
byte. It was in 1984, with a group of local friends and investors, that 
Addie became President and CEO of Ottley Communications Corporation and 
purchased WSTA radio, making it the first radio station to be owned by 
local interests. In 1995, Addie bought out his investors and became the 
full owner of the station.
  In addition to business, communications and politics, Addie has also 
served the community as Chairperson of the Advisory Committee of the 
Reichhold Center for the Performing Arts Advisory Committee, a member 
on the Board of Directors of the Advisory Committee of the United Negro 
College Fund to benefit the then College of the Virgin Islands, a 
member of the advisory Committee and MC of the Muscular Dystrophy 
Association annual telethon. He was also appointed Civilian Liaison 
Officer for the Virgin Islands National Guard.
  Addie has been President of the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of 
Commerce and member of the Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity and the Mental 
Health Commission. He is also on the Board of Arts Alive and is 
Chairman Emeritus of the Virgin Islands Chapter of Employers Support 
for the National Guard and Reserve.
  Addie has won his share of awards to include the 1990 Feddy Award for 
dedication to youth, the 1982 Business Advocate of the Year Award, and 
the Rotary II Man of the Year. He was recently named the ``Executive of 
the Year'' by the African American Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame.
  Madam Speaker, Addie Ottley has contributed to the wellbeing of the 
people of the U.S. Virgin Islands as a leader in business, 
communications, politics and community service. It is fitting that he 
be recognized today as an exemplary Virgin Islander and American.

                          ____________________