[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 108 (Wednesday, July 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN HONOR OF THE LATE ARNOLD M. GOLDEN, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 18, 2012

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to the 
life of one of my constituents, the late Arnold M. Golden, Sr., who 
passed away at his home on St. Croix last Saturday. Arnold M. Golden 
was a Crucian gentleman and statesman, one who spent all of his life in 
service to his family and his community.
  Known to family and friends as ``Morty'', he distinguished himself as 
a Virgin Islands Senator, a St. Croix administrator, Commissioner of 
both the Departments of Public Works and Commerce under the Governor 
Juan Luis Administration, and the manager of the Sunny Isle Shopping 
Center. He served on many community groups and organizations to include 
the Knights of Colombus, League of Women Voters, Boy Scouts of America, 
Landmarks Society and AARP.
  Morty Golden was a community servant, dedicating himself to the 
betterment of our islands, especially St. Croix. He was among the 
generation of Virgin Islanders who guided the growth and development of 
the modern Virgin Islands, working to develop the tax system, the 
planning, land use and conservation laws, and the Virgin Islands 
National Guard. His most recent service of note was as a Delegate to 
the Fifth Constitutional Convention, where he advocated for 
transparent, workable government.
  I knew him as an elder statesman, always ready with words of wisdom 
on how to make our islands a better place to live and our government 
function in a way that served the needs of all its people. He was a 
champion of municipal government and of transparent government with 
more accountability to its citizens. He was a champion of good 
governance and for the further development of our territory through the 
adoption of its own Constitution.
  Arnold M. Golden was born on December 13, 1931 in the town of 
Frederiksted to Louis R. and Violet (Pedersen) Golden. He was the 
eldest of 10 children and attended the St. Mary's and St. Patrick's 
Parochial Schools. He graduated from Christiansted High School in 1949 
and attended the Polytechnic Institute and UPRAT Mayaguez in 1949 and 
later the University of the Virgin Islands, where he pursued interests 
in engineering and management.
  Morty worked briefly at VICORP before being drafted into the U.S. 
Army, where he served 2 years of active duty, with one tour of duty in 
Korea. He was later Commissioned in the Armed Forces Reserves, and 
served with the Army Reserve Unit on St. Croix for a number of years. 
Later he was employed by A.C. Sanford as a land surveyor, where he 
worked on the construction of the Alexander Hamilton Airport. He was 
later employed as an appraiser by the Tax Assessor's Office, assisting 
in the modernization of the office and tax system.
  In 1968, he was elected to the Virgin Islands Legislature and was 
instrumental in the passage of legislation to create the Planning 
Office, the Executive Budget Act, and land conservation legislation. He 
worked on legislation authorizing Governor Melvin Evans to secure the 
authority to activate a National Guard Unit in the Virgin Islands, as 
well as the Jr. ROTC units.
  Morty Golden was honored to serve in numerous positions under the 
administration of Governor Juan F. Luis to include: Administrator, 
Commissioner of Public Works, Commissioner of Commerce and Assistant to 
the Governor. He also served on many government boards and commissions. 
He also managed the Sunny Isles Shopping Center in between his 
government service. Upon his retirement in 1987, he returned to land 
surveying.
  He served the community in various community organizations to include 
the Catholic Social Center, the Knights of Columbus, the Boy Scouts, 
the League of Women Voters, Landmark Society, and AARP. He has been 
honored for his outstanding community service by the Jr. Chamber of 
Puerto Rico, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Postal System and 
Rotary Club of St. Croix West.
  Mr. Speaker, Arnold M. Golden's most important role was as the 
patriarch of his beloved family. He was preceded in death by his son, 
Louis M. Golden, and leaves behind his beloved wife of 56 years, Carmen 
Maria (Encarnacion) Golden, his children: Helen Marie Danielson, Violet 
Anne Golden, Peder Mark Golden, Carmen Louise Walker, and Arnold M. 
Golden, III, his grandchildren: Leroy E. Danielson, Jr., Janelle Marie 
Plummer, Louis M. Danielson, Lionel Danielson, David M. Thomas, Jasmine 
L. Walker, Benjamin Walker, IV, Christina Walker, Nico Golden, Carla 
Golden and Juma Golden and four great-grandchildren: Leroy E. 
Danielson, III, Alimah M. Danielson, Daylon Lee Tank Yuk and Louriz M. 
Danielson.
  Mr. Speaker, the life and legacy of Arnold M. Golden is one of which 
the entire U.S. Virgin Islands community is very proud. He is an 
example of public service at its best. My family and staff extend our 
condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.

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