[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H4669-H4670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING CLAUDE ``TAPPY'' MOLLOY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen) is recognized 
for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, once again the people 
of my district, the U.S. Virgin Islands, have lost a beloved political 
leader who for the past half century has selflessly given of his time 
and talents to the betterment of our community.
  Claude A. Molloy, a native of St. Croix--``Tappy,'' as he was 
affectionately known to one and all--served this country in the U.S. 
Air Force during the 1950s and later went on to obtain a Bachelor of 
Business Administration in accounting from the University of Puerto 
Rico in 1962, and then subsequently an MBA, with a specialization in 
economics, finance, and industrial relations from the Columbia 
University School of Business in 1976.
  He served our territorial government with dedication and distinction 
in many capacities over the years in the Departments of Finance, 
Property and Procurement, Labor, and the Board of the VI Water and 
Power Authority in crucial and vital positions. But according to those 
who knew him best, his most significant contributions were in his 
service to the Virgin Islands Legislature and the Government Employee 
Retirement System. He was elected to the Virgin Islands Legislature for 
three terms and served as Senate President in the 10th Legislature of 
the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  As a legislator, he made his mark as chairman of the Committee of 
Agriculture and Procurement, Tourism and Advertising, Labor and 
Veterans Affairs, the Cost of Living Commission, and Banking and 
Interest Rates. He also served on the Second Constitutional 
Convention's Committee on Taxation, Finance and Federal Relations, as 
well as the Cultural Heritage Commission.

[[Page H4670]]

  As administrator for the Virgin Islands Employees Retirement System, 
he fought to preserve the integrity of the system, even so far as going 
to court to ensure that the system's assets were protected and that 
government contributions were submitted on time. That was 
quintessential Tappy--fiercely protecting the people of the Virgin 
Islands in any instance where he felt they or their rights were being 
threatened.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, many in my community have fond memories 
of a man who cared for his family, his people, and his islands. His 
contributions to the formative years of the young democracy that is the 
U.S. Virgin Islands will be a prominent part of our history.
  I extend my condolences to his wife, Juel, his sisters, his children 
and his grandchildren. I know that his wit and wisdom will remain an 
indelible part of their and our memories in the days to come, and we 
thank them all for sharing this lion of a man with us so generously.

                          ____________________