[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 20 (Thursday, January 30, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING ANN ELIZABETH CHRISTIAN ABRAMSON

  (Ms. PLASKETT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, the Virgin Islands is known for its 
queens--powerful, dynamic, passionate women who lead. We had Queen 
Coziah, who led the coal strikes; Queen Mary and ``Bottom Belly,'' who 
led the labor strikes.
  We lost one of our queens last week, Ann Elizabeth Christian 
Abramson, who was a loyal, fearless, compassionate leader, an 
entrepreneur, and a stateswoman.
  She was born in 1924, the last of 15 children. Ever industrious, even 
as a child, she left school for several years to help her family when 
they were in need and then went back.
  She was a businesswoman extraordinaire--taxicab business, 
construction company, bus company, aggregate owner, and the list goes 
on. She was appointed to our municipal council, where she was the only 
woman to serve during her time, as well as to our legislature.
  She gave tremendously to our community, but I know she also gave to 
me. When I went to this fearless leader to ask her for support, she not 
only gave me her support, but she gave me her time.
  I saw how she cared for her islands and her people. She was chair of 
the state Republican Party and helped the Girl Scouts, hospitals, and 
chamber of commerce. She did it all.
  Mr. Speaker, we will remember her legacy and hope she rests well.

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