John P. de Jongh Jr. is Rotary's Person of the Year. The 20th annual award was presented Wednesday afternoon to de Jongh after an introduction that spoke of his numerous contributions virtually from the day he left Antioch College to return home.
In the 40 years or so since then, de Jongh has served as, Finance commissioner, executive assistant to the governor, executive vice-president and chief executive officer of Lockhart Company Caribbean, and chairman of WAPA's governing board.
Currently the president of the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce and of the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, he is also the chairman of the governor's five-year economic recovery task force. De Jongh has been a board member of the Public Finance Authority, the Industrial Development Commission and the Board of Tax Review.
De Jongh was lauded for, among other things, his involvement in the negotiations of a tax exemption extension for HOVENSA.
Elliot "Mac" Davis, chairman of the committee to choose the Person of the Year, introduced the honoree as "a solid citizen, a public servant and resourceful businessman." He praised de Jongh as having made tireless efforts to improve the daily lives of residents in the territory.
An emotional, overwhelmed de Jongh had few words, saying "This is the last thing I would have expected." He said a member of Rotary had called on him to be the day's keynote speaker on the issues surrounding the economic plan.
"You got me!" said de Jongh.
The honoree said his accomplishments were based on his love for the V.I. He also credited his wife, Cecile, and their three children with contributing to his success.
The award itself is a statuette of Cervantes' character Don Quixote. Don Quixote is used in this instance to denote de Jongh's eagerness "to strive against seemingly impossible obstacles with selfless dedication to the community," Davis said as he introduced de Jongh for the coveted award.
Previous winners of the award include Albert Aubain, Bill La Motta, Dr. Roy L. Schneider, Costas Coulianos, Calvin Wheatley, Dr. Alfred O. Heath, Gov. Alexander Farrelly, Irvin "Brownie" Brown, Ron de Lugo, Dilsa Capdeville, Othniel "Addie" Ottley, Edward E. Thomas, Verne A. Hodge, Leona Bryant, Juel Molloy, Lorraine Berry and Randolph Knight.
