[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 4862] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]TRIBUTE TO MR. RHUDEL A. GEORGE ______ HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN of the virgin islands in the house of representatives Wednesday, April 2, 2008 Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize a man from my district, the U.S. Virgin Islands, who is being celebrated as a ``selfless humanitarian.'' Mr. Rhudel A. George is well known in our community as a tireless government worker, an advocate for the small businessman, a teacher and a political organizer. As a friend and supporter that I can always count on, Rhudel is exemplary. We are all encouraged by his work as president of Concerned Virgin Islanders, an advocacy group that is determined to both preserve and invigorate the cultural touchstones that make the Virgin Islands special. He grew up in the Down Street area of Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas and graduated in 1956 from the Charlotte Amalie High School (CAMS). He relocated to New York City where he joined the army in 1957 and served honorably for two years, leaving with a rank of Specialist 4th Class. Upon returning to the territory in 1959, he worked in both the private and public sector, while at the same time pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management at the University of the Virgin Islands in 1975. In 1975, he began to work for the V.I. Small Business Development Agency, first as a Field Investigator, and later as a Loan Officer. He was appointed Deputy Director of the Agency by Governor Alexander Farrelly and rose to the position of Director, where he served until his retirement in 1995. In addition, Rhudel George served as a part-time instructor of business management and accounting at the CAHS Adult Continuing Education Program from 1981 through 1990. He also taught Business Management at the University of the Virgin Islands in 1991. He also served as a panelist with the U.S. Small Business Administration, conducting small business seminars and workshops in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, and St. Martin for over 10 years. Mr. Rhudel George received several prestigious awards for his work, to include being named the Small Business Advocate of the Year from the U.S. Small Business Administration 1990/1991 and a Certificate of Commendation for Service beyond the call of duty after Hurricane Hugo in 1989. He also served his community on various boards and commissions, lending his financial and business management expertise as Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Virgin Islands Port Authority, the Public Employees Relations Board, the Board of Land Use Appeals, the V.I. Small Business Development Agency's Board, the U.S. Small Business Administration Advisory Council for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Rhudel George is currently the President of Concerned Native Virgin Islanders, Inc., an organization that has awarded 15 scholarship awards to deserving high school graduates. Mr. Rhudel George is an extraordinary community minded individual who has lent his expertise when needed. He has been married for 43 years to Lucia Cid-George and has two daughters, Semele and Sionne. ____________________