Derek Hodge facts for kids

Derek M. Hodge (born October 5, 1941 – died May 31, 2011) was an important politician and lawyer from the United States Virgin Islands. He served as the Lieutenant Governor of the United States Virgin Islands for eight years, from 1987 to 1995. He worked alongside Governor Alexander Farrelly. The Virgin Islands Daily News newspaper called him a "towering figure in local politics." This means he was a very influential person in the government for many years.

About Derek Hodge

His Early Life and Education

Derek Michael Hodge was born on October 5, 1941. His parents, Rexford and Enid Kettle Hodge, lived on the island of Saint Croix. He had one brother named Winston. Derek Hodge was also a cousin of Sir Cuthbert Sebastian, who was the Governor-General of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Derek grew up in Frederiksted, a town on Saint Croix. He went to elementary school there. For high school, he attended Colegio San Justo in Puerto Rico. He was the best student in his class, known as the valedictorian. While there, he also learned to speak Spanish very well.

In 1963, Hodge earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Michigan State University. During his time at Michigan State, he was part of a steel band called the Bamboushay Steel Band. His brother, Winston, and Ariel Melchior Jr. (who later became a newspaper publisher) were also in the band.

After college, Derek Hodge worked as a teacher. He taught in New York and in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Some of the schools he taught at were Brooklyn College and the College of the Virgin Islands. In 1966, he played basketball for the U.S. Virgin Islands team. He competed in the 1966 Central American and Caribbean Games in San Juan.

He later went to law school at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington D.C. He earned his law degree in 1971.

His Career in Politics

In 1972, Derek Hodge returned to Saint Croix. He joined his brother's law firm. He quickly became involved in local government. In 1974, he was chosen as the St. Croix District Chairman for the Democratic Party. He remained a member of the Democratic Party his whole life.

In 1984, Hodge was elected as a senator to the 16th Legislature of the Virgin Islands. He received the most votes in the senate race on Saint Croix. His fellow senators chose him to be the President of the Virgin Islands Legislature. He held this important position from 1985 to 1986.

In 1986, Alexander Farrelly, a Democratic candidate for governor, asked Hodge to be his running mate. Hodge agreed to run for lieutenant governor. Farrelly and Hodge won the election in November 1986. They took office on January 5, 1987. They were re-elected for a second term in 1990.

As Lieutenant Governor, Derek Hodge worked on many important projects. He helped get $20 million in federal money for Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on Saint Croix. He also worked to improve the government's financial standing. This helped the Virgin Islands get $230 million for important community projects. Hodge is also remembered for getting federal emergency funds. This money helped rebuild Saint Croix after Hurricane Hugo caused a lot of damage in 1989.

In 1994, Governor Farrelly could not run for a third term. Lieutenant Governor Derek Hodge decided to run for governor. He had the full support of the Democratic Party. He chose Alfred O. Heath as his running mate. However, Hodge lost the election to Roy Schneider and Kenneth Mapp. Hodge left office on January 2, 1995.

Later Years and Legacy

After leaving office in 1995, Derek Hodge opened a private law firm with his cousin, Kathleen Mackay. In 2002, he gave a speech at the memorial service for former Governor Alexander Farrelly.

Derek Michael Hodge passed away from cancer on May 31, 2011. He was 69 years old. He was survived by his wives, Jessica Margaret Austin Hodge, Beatrice Emmy Nieves Hodge, and Monique Sibilly-Hodge. He also left behind his two children, Marisol Cohen and Jonathan Hodge. He had three grandchildren: Olivia, Malachi, and Hadassah.

Hodge was honored at Government House on Saint Thomas. A memorial service was held in Charlotte Amalie. He was then flown to Christiansted and honored at Saint Croix's Government House.

His funeral was held on June 10, 2011, in Christiansted. He was buried at Frederiksted Cemetery. The Virgin Islands National Guard provided honors at his burial.