March 24, 2009 — Former Sen. Elmo D. Roebuck, who died March 17, will lie in state at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 1.
The austere chambers will be filled with music and storytelling to honor the man who was equally revered for his storytelling, humor and music as his passion for politics. He served in seven legislatures, four of those as president and three as head of the Finance Committee. (See: "Former Sen. Elmo D. Roebuck Dead at 74.")
The program will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to Senate President Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg. The chambers will remain open for viewing until 6 p.m.
Program details are not final, as tributes and remembrances are still pouring in, according to Donastorg's office. Booklet messages should be emailed to rinajroebuck@yahoo.com or delivered to Kyza Callwood in the office of Sen. Alvin Williams Jr. no later than 5 p.m. Friday.
Funeral services for Roebuck are scheduled for 10 a.m. April 2 at the Frederick Evangelical Church, with viewing at 9 a.m.
As far as the Source could determine Tuesday, Roebuck is the first senator to lie in state in chambers. Consulting with the territory's political and historical experts, none can remember another senator so honored. The ashes of Roebuck's mentor, Earle B. Ottley, are interred on the Senate grounds.
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