ST. THOMAS — The Legislature of the Virgin Islands held a Perma Plaque Ceremony today at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas posthumously honoring three Virgin Islanders — former Senator Horace Callwood, Benburin “Benny” Stephens, and Wayne “Facts Man” Adams.
Senate President Novelle Francis Jr. welcomed all the attendees to the ceremony.
“It is my distinct pleasure to welcome the families, friends and well-wishers on this auspicious occasion,” he said. “I’m honored to bring greetings on behalf of the members of the 35th Legislature as we celebrate Virgin Islanders who have made outstanding and significant contributions to the betterment of our entire territory.”
The north-south street immediately east of Windward Passage was named after the first honoree of the ceremony, Callwood. The former senator was honored for his dedication, service, and commitment to the people of the Virgin Islands.
The measure honoring Callwood, Bill No. 35-0011, was proposed by Senators Marvin Blyden, Carla Joseph, Donna Frett-Gregory, Alma Francis Heyliger, Milton Potter, Ray Fonseca, and Angel Bolques Jr.
Callwood was instrumental in implementing what is now Title 18. According to the bill, the law made all political parties open to whoever chooses to join, and paved way for the creation of the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands as it is known today.
Callwood met every week at the Windward Passage Hotel with the Horace A. Callwood Democratic Breakfast Club (formerly the Democratic Breakfast Club), named in his honor in recognition of his work to build a strong, active Democratic Party.
“This is a proud day for my family,” Chaneel Callwood, the senator’s daughter, said.
“I remember people telling me how he burst into a Democratic party meeting in the 1960s, fresh from the civil rights movement, demanding a seat at the table,” she said. “And now, the Breakfast Club named in his honor offers a seat at the table to anyone who wants to show up and talk about the issues of the day.”
Horace Callwood died on September 11, 2020. He was 89.
Stephens was also posthumously honored for his heroism in saving the lives of Janice Daniel and her children from their burning home.
Bill No. 35-0033 honoring Stephens was proposed by Fonseca, Blyden, Bolques, and Potter. The bill renames the Bovoni Road (Route No. 30), specifically from the entrance of the St. Thomas abattoir to the entrance of the Bertha C Boschulte Middle School in honor of Stephens.
On December 15, 1986, a fire erupted in the kitchen at the Estate Nadir home of Daniel and her six children. The fire spread, confining Daniel and her children to a bedroom with no way to exit.
According to the bill, Stephens was at home watching TV when he smelled smoke and became alarmed. He investigated his neighborhood and found Daniel and five of her six children trapped inside their burning home. Acting quickly, he tore out a set of window louvers in the bedroom and pulled the family to safety.
Stephens was awarded the rank of honorary fire chief and presented with a plaque by former Governor Alexander Farrelly. He died on July 30, 2010.
Last, but certainly not least on the agenda was the unveiling of the long-awaited Wayne “Facts Man” Adams Bridge at the Nadir intersection on St. Thomas.
Bill No. 35-0014 posthumously honors and commends Adams for “articulating and bringing events of historical significance to the people of the Virgin Islands,” according to the bill proposed by Heyliger and Blyden.
Adams’ rise to notoriety started on the radio.
“He would incessantly call Reginald ‘Ras’ Reg on his radio show, ‘Reggae Runnings,’” Dale Adams, brother of “Facts Man,” said. According to the bill, “Facts Man” would call in to the radio show bringing historical facts to the people of the Virgin Islands.
Family members, friends, and senators alike shared memories of Facts Man at today’s unveiling.
“Whatever he set his mind to, he’d follow through, and he’d accomplish that,” Dale Adams said.
During the ceremony Dale Adams talked about his late brother’s efforts to create change within his community, and his struggle with mental health challenges.
“My brother made it known publicly that he suffered with bipolar disorder, and in spite of that he was able to accomplish great things,” he said. “He had a community that consisted of many people who stood behind him and let him know that in spite of his mental health challenges, he could accomplish great things.”
An attempt to name the bridge previously known colloquially as “The Bridge to Nowhere” was unofficially made in 2021 just months after Adams’ death in September 2020.
A do-it-yourself sign was erected depicting two doves and text that read, “Welcome to the Wayne Adams AKA Facts Man Memorial Bridge. 1963-2020 RIP. Keep on keeping on.”
In 2023 the bill was passed unanimously by the Senate but vetoed by Governor Albert Bryan Jr.
“The naming of roads, buildings, and bridges has typically been reserved for notable elected officials and renowned public servants,” Bryan said at the time.
The vetoed bill was overridden unanimously by the Senate in 2023, giving a storied history for what will now be known as the Wayne “Facts Man” Adams Bridge.
