[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 4 (Thursday, January 27, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E7]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR OF THIS YEAR'S ``IRELAND'S 32'' MILLENNIUM HONOREE, MR. 
                            BENJAMIN PURNELL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 27, 2000

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Benjamin 
Purnell of Bayonne, NJ, on being named one of this year's ``Ireland's 
32'' Millennium honorees.
  Mr. Purnell's community service efforts in Bayonne began in 1972, 
when he joined the Omega Lodge No. 64, where he has served as secretary 
and worshipful master, the highest office in the lodge. Through the 
lodge, Mr. Purnell organized many projects addressing the specific 
needs and concerns of children and young adults. In an effort to 
instill a sense of community, as well as to provide young people with a 
safe haven, Mr. Purnell spearheaded the lodge's block parties, 
Halloween parties, and its annual Christmas party.
  For more than 12 years Mr. Purnell has served as president of the 
Bayonne Youth Center. At the center, he has provided guidance, 
leadership, and friendship to many of the city's young people. Mr. 
Purnell has been instrumental in creating the programs necessary to 
benefit the young people of the community, including the Youth of the 
Month Program, the summer camp, an after-school program, computer and 
cooking classes, and day-care services.
  In addition, Mr. Purnell has remained very active in the Wallace 
Temple African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, serving as 
superintendent of the Sunday School, co-chair of the board of trustees, 
director of the junior ushers, treasurer of the senior ushers board, 
secretary of the Men's Club, and member of the James T. Gregory Male 
Chorus. Mr. Purnell has also served as secretary of the Bayonne Branch 
NAACP, member of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, and as 
planning committee member of the B21C for the city of Bayonne.
  Because of his continued commitment to community service, Mr. Purnell 
has received numerous awards, including the Andrew Young Black Male 
Achievement Award, the Omega Lodge Service Award, the Bayonne Branch 
NAACP Community Service Award, and the N.C.C.J. Brotherhood Award.
  Born in Berlin, MD, Mr. Purnell graduated from Worcester High School 
in Snow Hill, MD and has been a resident of Bayonne for more than 30 
years. Mr. Purnell is married to Laura Mumford. The couple has two 
sons, Angelo and Benjamin, one daughter, Lolita, and six grandchildren.
  For his unyielding dedication and service to the Bayonne community, I 
ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. Benjamin Harrison 
Purnell. He has truly earned his place among this year's honorees.

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