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Melvin H. Evans facts for kids

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Melvin H. Evans
Melvin Evans123.jpg
United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago
In office
January 1, 1982 – November 21, 1984
President Ronald Reagan
Preceded by Irving Cheslaw
Succeeded by Sheldon J. Krys
Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives
from the U.S. Virgin Islands' at-large district
In office
January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1981
Preceded by Ron de Lugo
Succeeded by Ron de Lugo
Governor of the United States Virgin Islands
In office
July 1, 1969 – January 6, 1975
Lieutenant David Maas
Athniel Ottley
Preceded by Ralph Moses Paiewonsky
Succeeded by Cyril King
Personal details
Born
Melvin Herbert Evans

(1917-08-07)August 7, 1917
Christiansted, Virgin Islands, U.S.
Died November 27, 1984(1984-11-27) (aged 67)
Christiansted, Virgin Islands, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse Mary Evans
Children 4
Education Howard University (BS, MD)
University of California, Berkeley (MPH)

Melvin Herbert Evans (August 7, 1917 – November 27, 1984) was an U.S. Virgin Islands politician, who served as the first elected Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, serving from 1969 to 1975. After serving as governor he was delegate from the United States Virgin Islands to the United States House of Representatives from 1979 to 1981.

Evans was born in Christiansted in Saint Croix, and attended Howard University, Washington, D.C. and the University of California, Berkeley. He was the Virgin Islands Health Commissioner, and appointed Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, serving from 1969 until 1971. He was the first elected Governor in 1970 and served from 1971 until 1975. Evans was a Republican National Committeeman and served as a delegate to the 1972 Republican National Convention and 1976 Republican National Convention.

On November 7, 1978, Evans was elected Delegate to the United States House of Representatives from U.S. Virgin Islands as a Republican. He defeated Democrat Janet Watlington, an aide to outgoing Del. Ron de Lugo, with 10,458 votes, or 52% of the vote. Watlington placed second 9,588 votes, equaling 48% of the total votes cast. Evans served as Delegate in the House from January 3, 1979 to January 3, 1981. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1980, losing to former Delegate Ron de Lugo.

Evans was appointed United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, and served until his death. He is interred in Christiansted Cemetery in Saint Croix.

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