[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 118 (Friday, July 31, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2105]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE SERVICE OF JUDGE RAYMOND LAWRENCE FINCH, TO THE FEDERAL 
 AND VIRGIN ISLANDS JUDICIAL BRANCHES AND TO THE COMMUNITY OF THE U.S. 
                             VIRGIN ISLANDS

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                       HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 30, 2009

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Judge 
Raymond Lawrence Finch, a Jurist extraordinaire, who has served the 
Virgin Islands legal and judicial communities with diligence, 
competence and unfailing dedication for 33 years from the Bench.
  Raymond Finch is a true ``Native Son'', a product of two Crucian 
Virgin Islands families: Bough and Finch; whose family members have 
been making outstanding contributions to the Territory of the U. S. 
Virgin Islands for more than four generations.
  Raymond Finch is a product of the Virgin Islands public school system 
and a graduate of the Christiansted High School in 1958. He completed, 
on schedule, his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Minor in 
Economics, from Howard University in 1962; and his Juris Doctor Degree 
in 1965, from the Howard University School of Law.
  Entering in the U. S. Army as a First Lieutenant in 1966, he served 
honorably for three years, adjudicating claims of U.S. personnel and 
Vietnamese nationals. He was also an Advocate before the Elimination 
Boards, Article 15 Hearings and in Article 32 investigations. His 
exemplary service was awarded with the Bronze Star Medal, the Army 
Commendation Medal, and a Certificate of Appreciation from General 
William C. Westmoreland and the Army Chief of Staff.
  Having served previously as a Law Clerk in the Municipal Court of the 
Virgin Islands, he worked as a Law Clerk upon his return to the 
Territory, in the firm of Hodge and Sheen. He was admitted into the 
Virgin Islands Bar in 1970 and became a partner in the law firm of 
Hodge, Sheen, Finch and Ross in 1971. For more than a dozen years he 
was an instructor at the University of Virgin Islands and the American 
Banking Association.
  In 1976, then Virgin Islands Governor, Cyril E. King, appointed him 
Judge of the Municipal Court of the Virgin Islands. On September 1, 
1994, after being nominated by President Clinton, Raymond Finch took 
the oath of office as Judge of the District Court of the Virgin 
Islands, and became Chief Judge of the District Court in August, 1999.
  Raymond Finch the Law Clerk, to retiring District Court Judge Finch, 
has seen the remarkable evolution of the Virgin Islands Judicial 
system. The Municipal Court that he first served as a Law Clerk was the 
same Court to which he was first appointed as a Judge. During his 
judicial tenure, the Municipal Court became the Territorial Court, 
where it achieved its jurisdictional autonomy and recognition as the 
highest local court in the Territory and it is now the Superior Court. 
During Judge Finch's District Court tenure, the Supreme Court of the 
Virgin Islands was established.
  Accordingly, Finch's judicial career also evolved through his serving 
as Acting Presiding Judge, Territorial Court of the Virgin Islands; 
Judge, Appellate Division, U. S. District Court of the Virgin Islands; 
by Special Designation as Judge of the U. S. District Court of the 
Virgin Islands; U. S. District Court Judge and Chief District Court 
Judge for the Virgin Islands. During Judge Finch's tenure on the Bench, 
he was served by a group of Law Clerks, many of whom have gone on to 
distinguished and illustrious careers.
  His demeanor has always been one of quiet reserve. He is one of those 
rare individuals that will listen attentively. There have been 
occasions where a court room participant miscalculated with uttering a 
statement, uncomfortably finding themselves in the vise of a first 
class mind. His tenure has produced excellent legal Opinions and 
Memorandums, along with Decisions that demonstrate inordinate wisdom 
and compassion. He has mastered the uncanny ability to clearly and 
concisely follow the dictates of law, weaving and intermingling, with 
the African West Indian derived customs, of Danish and American 
cultural and jurisprudential influence. No easy task. His pride and 
understanding of the Virgin Islands culture, heritage and its people, 
resulted in outstanding interpretations and implementations of law that 
appealed to all the adversaries.
  His numerous community and professional involvements have been 
demonstrated through membership in the Virgin Islands Bar Association; 
Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit; American Law Institute; 
American Judges' Association; American Bar Association; National Bar 
Association, and the Virgin Islands Law Enforcement Planning 
Commission. His wise acumen was sought as or contributed to, the Task 
Force Member of the Criminal Code Revision Project; Committee on Model 
Criminal Jury Instructions, Third Court of Appeals; Supervisory Board 
of Juvenile Justice & Prevention of Delinquency Committee; the 
Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands; and Board of Directors of Boy's 
Club, St. Croix Division.
  At the recent unveiling of his official District Court Judge 
portrait, he showed a profound sensitivity when he thanked all that had 
gathered.
  Judge Finch has one son and two daughters. Through marriage, an 
additional son and daughter.
  The Virgin Islands and its people have been privileged to witness the 
passing of one that touched many, thereby making the world a better 
place.

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