ST. CROIX. Legislators on the Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs and Consumer Protection voted Monday to move forward with six bills recognizing prominent Virgin Islanders, three of which would designate streets in their honour.
Chaired by Sen. Avery Lewis, the committee heard testimony from family members, friends and colleagues before approving the measures. The bills will next proceed to the Rules and Judiciary Committee.
The six honourees are former Sen. Adelbert "Bert" Bryan, former Major League Baseball player Jerome "Jerry" Browne, rancher and former V.I. Olympic Committee president Hans Lawaetz, former St. Croix Avis Publisher Rena Brodhurst, musician and educator Kevre Hendricks, and the late centennarian Maude "Maudie" Dowdy Roberts, recognised posthumously.
Street designations
Sen. Kenneth Gittens introduced Bill 36-0229 to designate Queen Street in Frederiksted as "Adelbert 'Bert' Bryan Drive." Bryan, who grew up on the street, served in the U.S. Army, retired as a police captain, and represented the territory in the Legislature for five terms between 1983 and 2002. Gittens explained that the honorary designation would sit above the existing street name through the Office of the Lieutenant Governor's street addressing programme and would eventually be recognised for postal and addressing purposes.
Sen. Angel Bolques Jr. introduced Bill 36-0218 to rename Prince Street in Christiansted "Jerry Browne Street." Browne spent ten seasons in Major League Baseball with the Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, Oakland Athletics and Florida Marlins before returning to teach at youth camps.
Sen. Gittens also introduced Bill 36-0323 to name Prince Street in Frederiksted "Maude 'Maudie' Dowdy Roberts Drive." Roberts, a lifelong Frederiksted resident, died on her 100th birthday in 2022.
Medals of honour
Sen. Novelle Francis Jr. introduced Bill 36-0281 to award Lawaetz the Virgin Islands Medal of Honour for mentoring young athletes, supporting local baseball, and operating Annaly Farms, which provides a market outlet for local livestock producers.
Francis also introduced Bill 36-0319 to award the Medal of Honour to Brodhurst for her journalism work and efforts to preserve the territory's history and culture. The University of the Virgin Islands granted her an honorary doctorate in May.
Sen. Kurt Vialet introduced Bill 36-0320, a resolution recognising Hendricks for his contributions as a musician and educator.
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