[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 29, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E754]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MR. ROLAND ROEBUCK

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 29, 2008

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate Mr. Roland 
Roebuck, on the occasion of his retirement. Mr. Roebuck is a Virgin 
Islander who has served the Government of the District of Columbia, his 
adopted community, in an exemplary manner, for 25 years. Roland, or 
Rolando, as those in the Hispanic community affectionately refer to 
him, has been an advocate for the social, economic and political causes 
of people of color.
  Roland grew up on St. Croix, the protege of a Puerto Rican mother and 
a Crucian father, where he was able to bridge the two cultures and gain 
the best of both worlds.
  Later, he served in the U.S. Air Force, giving back to the Nation 
that he loves, before furthering his education and earning a Bachelor 
of Arts degree from the University of the District of Columbia.
  In 1984, Roland joined the District of Columbia Government and worked 
in various positions over the years. He excelled in ensuring that the 
rights of Latinos were protected and facilitated the understanding of 
their cultures and more.
  As a guardian of culture, Roland travelled around the world, giving 
lectures and workshops in understanding the lives of others who were 
different. As a former board member of the St. Croix Landmark Society, 
he used the opportunity to dialogue with the people of Denmark, a 
country that sold the then Danish Virgin Islands to the United States 
for $25, 000,000 in 1917, to preserve and incorporate their influences 
on the lives of Virgin Islanders. He assisted in developing an archival 
program that has allowed my constituents to search their genealogical 
connections and get a sense of their ancestry.
  Roland is a dependable, compassionate person, who truly cares about 
those with whom he has come in contact. His responsiveness to those who 
seek his knowledge and wisdom, speak to his dedication. He is always 
there, giving support to his family, friends and community and he has 
left a fitting legacy in the Government of the District of Columbia 
that others will do well to exemplify.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of myself and my family, my entire staff and 
the communities of the United States Virgin Islands and the District of 
Columbia, let me express our gratitude to Roland for his many 
contributions over the years. We know that he will continue to work on 
behalf of his many causes as he begins his retirement. Roland, thank 
you for a job well done.

                          ____________________