Dear Source:
My wife Betty and I join all Virgin Islanders who knew or worked with former Senator Elmo D. Roebuck. We profoundly convey our condolences to his wife and children, brothers and sisters. Unquestionably, he was an ardent, staunch and committed public servant whose thoughts and actions were always directed to the betterment of his beloved Virgin Islands. Elmo D, as he was known, and I served in the Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh Legislatures of the Virgin Islands. These were formative years and required innovative thinking and action. We passed landmark legislation for economic development, housing and other matters for territorial development. That was an era of zero unemployment in the territory; the economy was vibrant. Considering his training and experience as a former Commissioner of Housing and Community Development and his experience as a teacher, he brought many practical observations and solutions to territorial problems in debates to the floor of the Legislature. He had been cited as the youngest commissioner in Governor Ralph M. Paiewonsky's cabinet when he held the position of Commissioner of Housing and Development. When he was elected to the Ninth Legislature of the Virgin Islands, his colleagues were happy when he was chosen to be the Chairman of the Committee on Finance; he did a masterful job.
Elmo has answered the call to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who said, "Come unto me, all ye who travail and are heavy laden and I will give you rest". (Matthew 11:28).
Eric and Betty Dawson
Melbourne, Florida
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