[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 51 (Wednesday, April 2, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E473-E474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO MR. RHUDEL A. GEORGE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 2, 2008

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize a man from 
my district, the U.S. Virgin Islands, who is being celebrated as a 
``selfless humanitarian.'' Mr. Rhudel A. George is well known in our 
community as a tireless government worker, an advocate for the small 
businessman, a teacher and a political organizer. As a friend and 
supporter that I can always count on, Rhudel is exemplary. We are all 
encouraged by his work as president of Concerned Virgin Islanders, an 
advocacy group that is determined to both preserve and invigorate the 
cultural touchstones that make the Virgin Islands special.
  He grew up in the Down Street area of Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas 
and graduated in 1956 from the Charlotte Amalie High School (CAMS). He 
relocated to New York City where he joined the army in 1957 and served 
honorably for two years, leaving with a rank of Specialist 4th Class. 
Upon returning to the territory in 1959, he worked in both the private 
and public sector, while at the same time pursuing a Bachelor of Arts 
degree in Business Management at the University of the Virgin Islands 
in 1975. In 1975, he began to work for the V.I. Small Business 
Development Agency, first as a Field Investigator, and later as a Loan 
Officer. He was appointed Deputy Director of the

[[Page E474]]

Agency by Governor Alexander Farrelly and rose to the position of 
Director, where he served until his retirement in 1995. In addition, 
Rhudel George served as a part-time instructor of business management 
and accounting at the CAHS Adult Continuing Education Program from 1981 
through 1990. He also taught Business Management at the University of 
the Virgin Islands in 1991. He also served as a panelist with the U.S. 
Small Business Administration, conducting small business seminars 
and workshops in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, 
and St. Martin for over 10 years.

  Mr. Rhudel George received several prestigious awards for his work, 
to include being named the Small Business Advocate of the Year from the 
U.S. Small Business Administration 1990/1991 and a Certificate of 
Commendation for Service beyond the call of duty after Hurricane Hugo 
in 1989. He also served his community on various boards and 
commissions, lending his financial and business management expertise as 
Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Virgin Islands Port Authority, 
the Public Employees Relations Board, the Board of Land Use Appeals, 
the V.I. Small Business Development Agency's Board, the U.S. Small 
Business Administration Advisory Council for Puerto Rico and the U.S. 
Virgin Islands.
  Rhudel George is currently the President of Concerned Native Virgin 
Islanders, Inc., an organization that has awarded 15 scholarship awards 
to deserving high school graduates. Mr. Rhudel George is an 
extraordinary community minded individual who has lent his expertise 
when needed. He has been married for 43 years to Lucia Cid-George and 
has two daughters, Semele and Sionne.

                          ____________________