[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 16610-16611]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     WADSWORTH ``LALIE'' DICKERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 3, 2014

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in posthumous recognition of 
Wadsworth Dickerson, a Friend, Mentor, campaign and personal supporter, 
who was with me at the beginning of my political career. He was one of 
those individuals that could be accurately described as ``Larger than 
Life''! He would enter a room and fill it with a Presence bigger than 
his person, and begin to talk in that voice that was oh so powerful--
even in a whisper. Many memories come to mind of `that smile' and how 
he enjoyed a good joke.
  He had more than a finger on the pulse of sentiments being felt by 
the constituency and their concerns that were often not brought to the 
attention of those seeking public office. His was an absence that was, 
and still is, greatly and pointedly missed, in every election I have 
participated in since his untimely demise a decade ago.
  Mr. Dickerson was also affectionately known as ``Lalie'', to those 
that knew him on a first name or nickname basis. He was born on the 
island of Antigua to parents that came from the island of St. Kitts. He 
was the only son that his parents had and those who were brave enough 
to say it, said that he always got his way and succeeded in getting 
away with conduct that was never tolerated from his sister siblings or 
other relatives. This privilege helped to give him stellar and sterling 
attributes that later on became exemplary characteristics that endeared 
him to many: a care free, head strong and independent person, with a 
love for life, adventure and animals, which all started at an early 
age.
  As a young boy, Lalie travelled back and forth from Antigua to St. 
Croix, until he decided that St. Croix was where he wanted to live and 
raise a family with his then girlfriend, Cavelle. The island of St. 
Croix, in the early days of their marriage, provided vast opportunities 
to young people with talent; and Lalie's carpentry craftsmanship 
allowed him to make a lot of people very happy when he built cabinets, 
wall aquariums, mahogany beds and other priceless treasures. This is 
how he began to establish and maintain close connections with the 
``grass roots''.
  Lalie's eulogy credited his love for democracy and politics as coming 
from his mother and former Congressman Ron de Lugo, my predecessor. He 
was always a person who enjoyed a good time and an intense political 
chat. This was another method that enabled him to keep his hand on the 
pulse and enabled him to know who was who and how they thought and felt 
on various subjects. Other characteristics that endeared him to many 
was his ability to be there for others, always ready to lend a helping 
hand to others less fortunate, or to those that just needed advice. 
``He was steadfast in whatever he believed in even if it meant he was 
on the losing side''--which was a very rare event.
  Lalie became mesmerized with the beauty of St. Croix so much that he 
enjoyed hanging out with friends on the waterfront or even just to go 
to take a sail with a friend. In addition to his carpentry skills, he 
worked at the Department of Sanitation; the U. S. District Court; the 
Youth Rehabilitation Center and the Department of Education; where a 
job injury ended his working career. He was also a Lifelong Democrat 
because his mother told him there could be no other party than the 
Democratic Party, because it was the Party for poor people. He has also 
been involved and a member of numerous Democratic Clubs, including the 
People's Democratic Club and the Democratic Territorial Committee.
  I know that many Democrats still deeply miss the presence and 
unwavering support from one of our most dedicated party members who 
also just happened to be the ``Conscience'' of the Party. Even though 
he seemed to breathe politics, he also had another passion which was 
gardening. His green thumb caused his family to always be able to have 
fresh vegetables and even fruits at times.
  Lalie was also a family man, proud of his children; loved his 
grandchildren and was overjoyed being in the presence of his great-
grandchildren. His and Cavelle's home was the center and heartbeat of 
the family.

[[Page 16611]]

  As I bring my congressional tenure to closure and reflect on the 
beginning: the joy, happy memories, the sadness of losing him and 
appreciation of him and all that he brought to me, my life, family and 
campaigns; always contributed to making it extremely difficult to think 
and write about him. It is so easy to be sad in nostalgia but, he would 
not want us to feel anything but happiness for life and opportunity to 
move on and improve. May he rest in peace.

                          ____________________