[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 74 (Tuesday, June 3, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1082]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                TRIBUTE TO REV. DR. SHELLIE SAMPSON, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 3, 1997

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Rev. Dr. 
Shellie Sampson, Jr. who will be honored on Saturday at the fifteenth 
pastoral anniversary banquet of the Thessalonia Baptist Church of New 
York.
  In short, Pastor Sampson lives to help other people. He has been 
diligent in providing spiritual guidance and support to the members of 
our community.
  In addition to his services as Pastor, he led the erection of our 
Cultural Community Center, and co-founded the Thessalonia Elementary 
Academy, the Thessalonia Institute of Religion, and the church's 
bookstore.
  Among other activities he is also the president of the Baptist 
Ministers Conference of greater New York City and vicinity, a member of 
the Afro-American clergy advisory group to the mayor, an education 
commissioner at the New York State convention, a teacher at the New 
York and National Baptist congresses, and a co-founder of south Bronx 
churches.
  Pastor Sampson is an educator and is very actively involved in 
programs to assist minority students. The killing of his 25-year-old 
son, Kitu Sampson, a religious disc jockey in Franklin Township, PA, 
motivated him and strengthened his belief in the need to educate the 
city's youth. ``It works both ways,'' he said. ``Life is unpredictable. 
You never know when disaster's going to strike. So, it makes you 
determined to get the young people educated.''
  He earned a bachelor's degree in science from Rutgers University, a 
Master of Divinity degree, and a doctorate in Christian education from 
Drew University. A firm believer in education, he is currently pursuing 
another doctorate in education from Temple University. He served as 
Dean of Education at Shiloh Baptist Association in New Jersey, was the 
co-commissioner of education at New Jersey State Baptist convention, 
president of Northern Baptist School of Religion--formerly known as 
Northern Baptist University--headmaster at Convent Academy, and 
executive director at Baptist Education Center. His wife, Deloranzo, 
heads the Thessalonia Elementary Academy.
  As it is written in Hebrews 6:10, ``for God is not unjust; he will 
not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped 
his people and continue to help them,'' the community, too, recognizes 
him and is honoring him.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Rev. Dr. 
Shellie Sampson, Jr. for his fifteen years as Pastor at Thessalonia 
Baptist Church and his dedication to our south Bronx community.

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