Ambassador Club
Saturday, March 19, 2022 was a big day for the legacy of the late Ambassador William J. Hughes and his wife, Nancy, as club facilities in the U.S. Virgin Islands were dedicated as the Ambassador Club in honor of the couple.
Bill and Nancy Hughes had a property in the USVI for more than 50 years and a condo at Regatta Point Villas (RPV) in St. Thomas for more than 40 years. Bill Hughes served for many years on the board of trustees for RPV, where the renaming and dedication of the Ambassador Club took place.
About 125 individuals representing the Hughes family, Regatta Point Villas owners, St. Thomas friends of the family and USVI officials attended the 4 p.m. ceremony.
Dr. Edward H. Salmon and Hughes family members cut the ribbon to officially open the Ambassador Club. Dr. Salmon is board chairman of the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University. Two of the Hughes family daughters, Lynne Hughes and Barbara Hughes Sullivan, and granddaughter Maddie Walker spoke about their parents and grandparents. Their words of family love, life achievements and commitment touched the hearts of those in attendance.
Dr. Salmon spoke about his and his wife Marilyn’s 52 years of friendship and working together with Bill and Nancy. “One of the greatest blessings in life is to have trusted friends you can always count on for support,” Dr. Salmon said.
He recounted major achievements Ambassador Hughes accomplished as New Jersey’s 2nd District congressman, serving 20 years in Washington, D.C. Hughes served as U.S. Ambassador to Panama after retiring from the House of Representatives in 1995. He succeeded in the major task of preparing for the return of the Panama Canal to the Panamanians.
The Hughes Center provided each attendee two different publications on the life and legacy of Ambassador and Mrs. Hughes.
Dr. Salmon spoke at length about Bill and Nancy's love and commitment to Stockton University and the success of the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy under the leadership of Stockton President Harvey Kesselman and Executive Director John Froonjian.
Finally, Dr. Salmon spoke about the William J. Hughes Technical Center, the premier aerospace technology and research center, located at the FAA complex in Egg Harbor Township, N.J. Congressman Bill Hughes saved that center for his district after federal officials had decided to relocate it to Oklahoma.
“Our state and nation were blessed to have the exceptional leadership of Bill and Nancy Hughes,” Dr. Salmon said.
Video Recordings:
