G. Luz A. James
Encyclopedia
Gerard Luz A. James, better known as G. Luz A. James, (? - September 17, 2006) was a U.S. Virgin Islander politician
, laywer, businessman and broadcaster
. James was also the first Virgin Islander to become an adjutant general
in the Virgin Islands National Guard
.
James was one of four brothers who were described as very influential in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Wilfred James was a teacher; Ulmont James was credited with introducing merit pay
to the U.S. Virgin Islands; and Randall "Doc" James was a doctor
and four-term Senator in the territorial legislature. He is also the namesake of Randall "Doc" James Racetrack.
James began his career on WIVI
Radio-970 in Saint Croix as a disc jockey
. In the 1970s, James purchased the WSTX
radio station
, which he owned and operated until he sold it in the early 2000s.
Luz was elected to the Virgin Islands Legislature as a Senator during the 12th legislature. He also served as the U.S. Virgin Islands' Director of Urban Renewal, which has since been renamed the Department of Property and Procurement. Luz spearheaded the redevelopment
of the Water Gut area in the Virgin Islands. He also became teacher at the Christiansted High School in Christiansted.
He earned a law degree
and became a lawyer
when he was in his 40s. He unsuccessfully sought re-election to his old seat in the Legislature during his later years, but remained active in politics. He hosted and broadcast election night results from the Virgin Islands Elections Office during primary and general elections.
G. Luz A. James died in his sleep at his home on September 16, 2010, at the age of 80. He was survived by his wife, Asta Klyvert-James; four children - Gerard Luz James
, a former Lieutenant Governor of the United States Virgin Islands
; Barbara, lawyer; Emmeth, an accountant
; and Kelsey, a doctor.
Then-Governor Charles Turnbull called James, "...someone who devoted his life's work to the service and betterment of the V.I. people in many roles and responsibilities…. he fought hard for the things he believed in and for the people of St. Croix and the territory." Former Lt. Governor Vargrave Richards
also paid tribute to James saying, "He was a great public servant, very active and truly civic minded. He always had the interest of this community at heart."
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, laywer, businessman and broadcaster
Presenter
A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
. James was also the first Virgin Islander to become an adjutant general
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
in the Virgin Islands National Guard
Virgin Islands National Guard
The U.S. Virgin Islands National Guard consists of the:*Virgin Islands Army National Guard *Virgin Islands Air National Guard ** 285th Combat Communications Squadron...
.
James was one of four brothers who were described as very influential in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Wilfred James was a teacher; Ulmont James was credited with introducing merit pay
Merit pay
Merit pay is a term describing performance-related pay, most frequently in the context of educational reform. It provides bonuses for workers who perform their jobs effectively, according to measurable criteria...
to the U.S. Virgin Islands; and Randall "Doc" James was a doctor
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
and four-term Senator in the territorial legislature. He is also the namesake of Randall "Doc" James Racetrack.
James began his career on WIVI
WSTX (AM)
WSTX is a radio station licensed to serve Christiansted, U. S. Virgin Islands. The station is owned by Family Broadcasting, Inc. It airs a News/Talk format with a mix of news, talk, and specialty programming....
Radio-970 in Saint Croix as a disc jockey
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
. In the 1970s, James purchased the WSTX
WSTX
WSTX could refer to two radio stations in the U. S. Virgin Islands:*WSTX , a radio station broadcasting at 970 kHz on the AM band, licensed to Christiansted, U. S. Virgin Islands....
radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
, which he owned and operated until he sold it in the early 2000s.
Luz was elected to the Virgin Islands Legislature as a Senator during the 12th legislature. He also served as the U.S. Virgin Islands' Director of Urban Renewal, which has since been renamed the Department of Property and Procurement. Luz spearheaded the redevelopment
Redevelopment
Redevelopment is any new construction on a site that has pre-existing uses.-Description:Variations on redevelopment include:* Urban infill on vacant parcels that have no existing activity but were previously developed, especially on Brownfield land, such as the redevelopment of an industrial site...
of the Water Gut area in the Virgin Islands. He also became teacher at the Christiansted High School in Christiansted.
He earned a law degree
Law degree
A Law degree is an academic degree conferred for studies in law. Such degrees are generally preparation for legal careers; but while their curricula may be reviewed by legal authority, they do not themselves confer a license...
and became a lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
when he was in his 40s. He unsuccessfully sought re-election to his old seat in the Legislature during his later years, but remained active in politics. He hosted and broadcast election night results from the Virgin Islands Elections Office during primary and general elections.
G. Luz A. James died in his sleep at his home on September 16, 2010, at the age of 80. He was survived by his wife, Asta Klyvert-James; four children - Gerard Luz James
Gerard Luz James
Gerard Luz James II is a United States Virgin Islander politician, funeral director, and businessman. James served as the Lieutenant Governor of the United States Virgin Islands from 1999 until 2003 and is the current president of the Virgin Islands' fifth Constitutional Convention.-Early...
, a former Lieutenant Governor of the United States Virgin Islands
Lieutenant Governor of the United States Virgin Islands
The following is a list of Lieutenant Governors of the United States Virgin Islands.*David Earle Maas - Republican...
; Barbara, lawyer; Emmeth, an accountant
Accountant
An accountant is a practitioner of accountancy or accounting , which is the measurement, disclosure or provision of assurance about financial information that helps managers, investors, tax authorities and others make decisions about allocating resources.The Big Four auditors are the largest...
; and Kelsey, a doctor.
Then-Governor Charles Turnbull called James, "...someone who devoted his life's work to the service and betterment of the V.I. people in many roles and responsibilities…. he fought hard for the things he believed in and for the people of St. Croix and the territory." Former Lt. Governor Vargrave Richards
Vargrave Richards
Vargrave A. Richards is a United States Virgin Islands politician and educator. Richards served as the Lieutenant Governor of the United States Virgin Islands from 2003 until 2007 during the second term of Democratic Governor Charles Turnbull.-Early life:Richards is a former teacher...
also paid tribute to James saying, "He was a great public servant, very active and truly civic minded. He always had the interest of this community at heart."