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| Affiliation | Democratic |
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| Name | Ralph M. Paiewonsky |
| Address |
, U. S. Virgin Islands , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | None |
| Born |
November 09, 1907
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| Died | November 09, 1991
(84 years)
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| Contributor | Thomas Walker |
| Last Modifed | Juan Croniqueur
Nov 09, 2023 12:31am |
| Tags |
Jewish -
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| Info | RALPH M. PAIEWONSKY
Governor, Legislator, Business Executive
Born: St. Thomas (1906 - 1991)
The administration of Governor Ralph M. Paiewonsky, 1961-1969, has been described as one of the most progressive periods in the history of the Virgin Islands. During these eight years, marked improvements in the social, economic, political, and cultural growth of the islands were achieved.
Named the ninth appointed civilian governor of the Virgin Islands by President John F. Kennedy, Ralph Paiewonsky was sworn into office on April 5, 1961, succeeding John D. Merwin.
One of the major achievements of the Paiewonsky administration was in the field of housing. In 1962 a Department of Housing and Community Renewal was created and a long-range program of land acquisition and home construction was begun. Between 1961 and 1966 approximately 8,000 Virgin Islanders were relocated in new homes.
Another area of concentration was upgrading the educational system. Gains were made in classroom construction and the upgrading of the only public high school on St. Thomas, Charlotte Amalie High School, for its accreditation by the Middle States Association of Secondary Schools. In addition, he contracted with New York University for a three-year program designed to upgrade the entire educational system. "Excellence in Education" became the motivating slogan.
To meet the need for higher education in the Virgin Islands, Governor Paiewonsky supported plans for a local college. Under his administration the College of the Virgin Islands was established in 1962, and by 1972 the four year liberal arts college was designated a Land Grant College. It is now known as the University of the Virgin Islands and Ralph Paiewonsky served as chairman of the Board of Directors until his death.
Other accomplishments of his administration include increased employment, increased health and social services, and industrial growth.
Prior to his tenure as governor, Ralph Paiewonsky was a member of the local Municipal Council, serving five terms, 1936 to 1946. Between 1940 and 1960 he attended the Democratic National Conventions in the capacity of a delegate from the Virgin Islands. During his twenty years of national convention experience he also served as National Democratic Committeeman from the Virgin Islands.
On the home front he has worked on various committees which were established to improve the local government structure including the tax Committee for the Chamber of Commerce, the Virgin Islands Organic Act Advisory Committee, Citizens Advisory Committee for Home Rule, and the Governor's Advisory Committee on Tourism and Trade. He has been advisor to the Legislature and to the Caribbean Commission as well as president of the Virgin Islands Board of Trade.
At the end of his administration in 1968 he has remained active in his family's business and in civic affairs. In 1988 he was a panelist at the Conference on the Future Political Status of the Virgin Islands, sponsored by the University of the Virgin Islands.
Ralph Paiewonsky, one of four children of Isaac and Rebecca Kushner Paiewonsky, was born on St. Thomas on November 9,1906. His parents, immigrants from Lithuania, met and married in the Danish West Indies and subsequently established a chain of businesses in the islands which through the years have included: A. H. Riise Distillery, Inc., A.H. Riise Liquor Store, Apollo Theater, Center Theater, A. H. Riise Gift Shop, Apothecary Hall, and many others.
Ralph received his early education at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, run by the Roman Catholic Church, one of the earlier private schools on St. Thomas. He completed high school in the United States. In 1930 he received a bachelor's degree from New York University with majors in chemistry and mathematics.
He returned home to assume responsibility for the family's thriving business and assumed management of the Apothecary Hall, the island's leading drug store of that era. He then engaged in intensive research with seawater fermentation from which a rum distillation process was developed. His duties later expanded and he was appointed manager of A. H. Riise Distillery Company, was elected president of Apollo Theater, Inc. and Center Theater, Inc. and served as chair-man of the board of A. H. Riise, Inc., which included the family's business enterprises.
Together with other Virgin Islands residents, Mr. Paiewonsky organized the West Indies Bank and Trust Co., which opened for business on December 1, 1954, and expanded to four branches on all three Virgin Islands. Chase Manhattan Bank eventually acquired this bank in 1959. In addition to the West Indies Bank and Trust Co., he also established the West Indies Insurance Company and the West Indies Investment Corporation.
Prior to his retirement, Governor Paiewonsky, was the recipient of many honors including New York University Alumnus of the Year (1962); New York University Presidential Citation (1966); Association for Middle Income Housing Inc. annual award for outstanding performance in public housing. In addition, two honorary degrees have been conferred on him: he received a doctoral degree from Tufts University in 1967 and in the same year was granted a doctorate in law from Fairleigh Dickinson University, New Jersey.
On May 20,1982 the Caribbean American League announced the establishment of a public service award to be given annually in the name of Ralph M. Paiewonsky. The award goes to an individual who has made significant contributions in furthering human rights in the Virgin Islands including friendship and goodwill, among various races and nationalities. In 1982, Mr. Paiewonsky was named the winner of the Time magazine Distinguished Wholesaler Award.
On March 3, 1969, the Eighth Legislature passed Resolution 441 commending and honoring Ralph M. Paiewonsky as a progressive governor and an outstanding Virgin Islander, who among other achievements compiled an unprecedented record of social, economic, and political progress.
In the compilation of his messages to the public throughout his administration, one--What Is A Virgin Islander?--delivered on March 2, 1962, is so vital that it was entered into the Congressional Record by VI. Delegate Ron de Lugo. In part the message says, "The Virgin Islander represents a way of life. He is a man of dignity. He is a man of all races and of different beliefs ...He was born here or he came here to live among us with the same ideals, principles and dedication to preserve this way of life..."
In 1969 the Ralph M. Paiewonsky Library was established at the University of the Virgin Islands as a tribute to his efforts in establishing that institution. In 1990, he published his book, Memoirs of A Governor-, in which he detailed the story of his life, including the service, struggles, and decisions of both his private and professional experiences.
In March of 1992 the Board of Trustees of the University of the Virgin Islands announced the passage of a resolution to posthumously bestow its first honorary doctorate on Governor Ralph M. Paiewonsky for his many significant contributions toward improving the lives of Virgin Islanders.
He enjoyed travel and meeting people. The former chief executive was married to Ethel Heller and of this union are two children, Bernard and Joyce Paiewonsky Needleman. Mr. Paiewonsky died on his birthday in 1991 in St. Thomas at the age of 84.
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