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FYI: Governor Proclaims Melvin H. Evans Day in the United States Virgin Islands

The following material is being published, unedited, exactly as it was received via e-mail from the office of the government official named below, as a Source community service. Government office holders wishing to contribute to the bulletin board must e-mail source@viaccess.net. The Source reserves the right to choose what is published.
Aug. 7, 2005 – Pursuant to Title 1, section 186, Virgin Islands Code (Act No. 5111), Governor Charles W. Turnbull has designated August 7th, 2005, the birthday of the first elected governor and second elected Delegate to Congress as "MELVIN H. EVANS DAY" to recognize the outstanding public service of this great Virgin Islander.
Governor Melvin H. Evans was born on St. Croix on August 7, 1917, graduated as Valedictorian from Charlotte Amalie High School in 1935; received his Bachelor's Degree from Howard University in 1940; and received his medical degree with honors from Howard University Medical School n 1944.
Dr. Melvin H. Evans served with the United States Public Health Service and John Hopkins University, achieving great success as a physician and surgeon. In 1956, Melvin H. Evans was appointed By Governor Walter A. Gordon as Commissioner of Health, a position he held for nine years. Melvin H. Evans was appointed by President Richard M. Nixon as the last appointed Governor of the Virgin Islands and took the oath of office on July 1, 1969, succeeding Governor Ralph M. Paicwonsky.
In 1968 the people of the Virgin Islands achieved the right to elect their own Governor, and in November 1970, Melvin H. Evans became the first elected Governor of the Virgin Islands, serving from 1971 to 1975. He was sworn into office on January 4, 1971 by United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Thurgood Marshall.
Governor Melvin H. Evans was instrumental in establishing the Virgin Islands National Guard, the building of the St. Croix Campus of the University of the Virgin Islands, building the four lane highway on St. Croix that now bears his name, and obtaining millions of dollars for social programs to serve the needy of the Territory. Dr. Evans was elected as Delegate to Congress in November 1978, and served one term from 1979 to 1980.
In 1982, President Ronald Reagan appointed Melvin H. Evans as United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago. Melvin H. Evans served as United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago from 1982 until his death in November 1984.
"Through the dedicated efforts of Governor Melvin H. Evans, the social, political and economic standards in the Territory were enhanced," Governor Turnbull's proclamation concluded.

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