[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27277]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 HONORING THE SERVICE OF OCTAVIA LUCINDA OLIVER ROSS AS DISTINGUISHED 
                   EDUCATOR AND A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONNA MC CHRISTENSEN

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 15, 2000

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to Octavia Lucinda 
Oliver Ross, who was a distinguished educator, devoted mother and 
community activist in my St. Croix district of the Territory of the 
Virgin Islands.
  Octavia Ross was born into and became a part of an outstanding family 
educational legacy in the Virgin Islands. Her late father, Emanuel 
Benjamin Oliver was also a teacher, and a school on the island of St. 
Thomas bears his name. After teaching at the Federal Nursery School, 
Octavia Ross began her career as an instructor in public school system. 
She served as a teacher at almost all grade levels, elementary as well 
as secondary and worked at the junior high and intermediate grade 
levels. most of her teaching career was spent as a first grade teacher 
at the Frederiksted Public Grammar School and the Claude O. Markoe 
School. Mrs. Ross enrolled in various training sessions with the 
Polytechnic Institute of St. Croix and pursued additional training at 
Inter American University in Puerto Rico.
  On January 25, 1964, Octavia Ross obtained her Bachelor of Science 
Degree from Hampton University, followed by a period in which she did 
post graduate work in Supervision and Administration. Upon returning to 
St. Croix she was instrumental in initiating and directing the 
Bilingual/Bicultural and the Academically-talented Programs. Mrs. Ross 
became an assistant principal at the Charles H. Emanuel and the 
Alexander Henderson Schools. She became the first principal of the 
Evelyn Williams Elementary School, remaining there until her retirement 
at the completion of forth two years of meritorious service in the 
field of education. Octavia Ross, having been a star athlete in her 
youth, also instructed handicraft and athletics. There are many who 
strongly feel the sentiment that she devoted her life to the children 
of St. Croix as a teacher, assistant principal and principal.
  Octavia Ross also made varied and vast contributions to the social 
well being of the Virgin Islands' community. Athletic activities during 
her youth caused her to participate in numerous inter-island meets, 
which may have been the beginning of her activity in the community. She 
has been credited with carrying the banner in the Business and 
Professional Women's Club, serving as both the local and state 
president. She was a delegate at the International Business and 
Professional Women's convention in Houston, Texas. In 1974, she 
received the Woman of the year Award. Octavia Ross was also the 
recipient of the Frederiksted Business and Professional Women's 
Achievement Award. In 1978 she was named the Mother of the Year Award 
by the Frederiksted Club and later received their Woman of Achievement 
Award. Octavia Ross was listed in the 1977 International ``Who's Who in 
the West Indies, Bahamas and Bermuda,'' V. I. Section--Personalities of 
the Caribbean and was also listed in the 1979 edition of World ``Who's 
Who Dictionary of International Biographies'' and received the Paul 
Harris Fellow from the Rotary Club of St. Croix West.
  The Governor of the Virgin Islands described her as having a graceful 
demeanor, a professional integrity and ladylike deportment that made 
her an exemplary and model teacher. Further, he stated that not only 
has Mrs. Ross made a significant contribution to the Virgin Islands as 
an educator in her own right, but also in the contributions of her 
offspring in the administrative, legislative, educational, legal, 
financial, civic, military and industrial areas of the community. Not 
surprisingly, Octavia Ross was a dedicated member of her church, the 
Saint Paul's Anglican Church, in addition to being a member of 
Episcopal Church Women's Organization and Member of the Vestry.
  Octavia Ross was appreciated by the many whose lives she touched. 
Besides her husband Rupert W. Ross, Sr., she leaves to mourn her seven 
children: Rupert, Edgar, Raymond, James, Edward, Janice and Jewel; two 
step children, Randolph and Judy-Ann; fourteen grand children, fourteen 
great grand children; and a community recovering from her sudden 
passing. On behalf of the Congress of the United States of America, I 
salute Octavia Lucinda Oliver Ross for her dedicated service to her 
profession and the Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands. I thank her 
husband Rupert, her seven children, two step children, fourteen grand 
children, fourteen great grand children and a grateful community for 
sharing her with us.

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