Frazer, Victor O., 1943-

<p>Victor Frazer became the second black Delegate to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands in the U.S. House of Representatives after a surprise victory in 1995. During his brief stint in Congress, Frazer promoted the interests of his constituents in the American territory, focusing on procuring federal money for hurricane relief and attracting tourism to the eastern Caribbean.

Born on May 24, 1943, in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, to Albert Frazer and Amanda Blyden, Victor O. Frazer was one of 10 children. After graduating from Charlotte Amalie High School in 1960, Frazer earned a B.A. from Fisk University, in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1964, and a J.D. from Howard University Law School in 1971. He worked as a lawyer for the District of Columbia Office of the Corporation Counsel (later called the Office of the Attorney General of the District of Columbia) from 1974 to 1978. Employed as a banker for Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company, Frazer also worked as a lawyer for the Interstate Commerce Commission and the U.S. Patent Office. He later served as general counsel for the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority from 1987 to 1989. Frazer acquired congressional experience as an administrative assistant for California Representative Mervyn Dymally, a special assistant for Michigan Representative John Conyers, and as counsel for the House Committee on the District of Columbia. Before winning a seat in the House, he also worked in a private legal practice. A divorcé, Frazer has two daughters, Kaaren and Aileene.</p>

<p>In 1992, Frazer made an unsuccessful run for Congress against longtime Virgin Islands Delegate Ron de Lugo; Frazer, a Democrat who ran as an Independent, lost by more than 5,000 votes. When de Lugo announced his retirement in 1994, Frazer orchestrated another attempt at elective office, again running as an Independent. In a four–way race to represent the Virgin Islands in the U.S. House, he placed second to Eileen Petersen, a former judge, but qualified for the runoff election on November 22 since none of the candidates earned the necessary 50 percent of the vote to secure the nomination. Frazer’s campaign benefited from the endorsement of retired U.S. Ambassador Terrance Todman, overcoming meager campaign funds and the support of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) for his Democratic opponent, Petersen. He upset Petersen in the runoff, winning 55 percent of the vote and astounding the experts; congressional publishers had to scramble to locate a photograph of Frazer for inclusion with those of the other new Members of the 104th Congress (1995–1997). Elated by his success, Frazer proclaimed, “This is the people’s victory.”</p>

FRAZER, Victor O., a Delegate from Virgin Islands; born in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, V.I., May 24, 1943; graduated Charlotte Amalie High School; B.A., Fisk University, 1964; J.D., Howard University Law School, 1971; admitted to the New York, Maryland, District of Columbia and Virgin Island bars, 1971; banking: Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company, Securtiy Trust Company; attorney, neighborhood Legal Services Program, Interstate Commerce Commission, Office of the City Attorney in Washington, D.C., U.S. Patent Office; administrative assistant and counsel to Congressman Mervyn Dymally; served as counsel to the Committee on the District of Columbia; elected as an Independent to the One Hundred Fourth Congress (January 3, 1995-January 3, 1997); unsuccessful candidate for reelection to the One Hundred Fifth Congress.

<p>Victor O. Frazer (born May 24, 1943) is an American lawyer and former politician, having served as the 3rd elected Delegate from the United States Virgin Islands to the United States House of Representatives. He was born in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. He attended Fisk University and the Howard University Law School. He was admitted to the bar in New York, Maryland, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.</p>

<p>Though he acted as an independent in the House, he was the candidate of the Independent Citizens Movement party and caucused with the Democrats.</p>

<p>Frazer served on the Interstate Commerce Commission, the Office of the City Attorney in Washington, D.C. and the United States Patent Office. He worked in the financial department at the Manufacturer's Hanover Trust Company. Frazer was the administrative assistant and counsel to Congressman Mervyn M. Dymally. He served as counsel to the Committee on the District of Columbia. He was elected as an Independent to the House, serving from January 3, 1995 – January 3, 1997. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1996.</p>