[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 7 (Wednesday, February 2, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E58]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   A TRIBUTE TO REV. VERNAL E. SIMMS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT A. BRADY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 2, 2000

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Rev. Vernal 
E. Simms, the newly-elected President of Black Clergy of Philadelphia 
and a distinguished member of the church. Rev. Simms was born and 
raised in Boston, Massachusetts. Throughout his life, he has made 
undying efforts to serve the community and push forward to better the 
church and its people. He has spent tireless days helping in the 
production and creation of community developments such as weekly and 
monthly food programs, day care centers, and facilities to accommodate 
the older generation of his community. Rev. Simms has managed to 
organize a new way of life for many and continues to provide consistent 
efforts in furthering these ideas and expanding on the future of all 
communities that surround him. In the course of sharing his knowledge 
and compassion he has touched many while pastoring in Plymouth, 
Massachusetts; Chatham, New York; Brooklyn, New York; and Moorestown, 
New Jersey.
  Rev. Simms currently serves as the pastor of Morris Brown African 
Methodist Episcopal Church in North Philadelphia, and the Vice 
President of the African Methodist Episcopal Preacher's meeting of 
Philadelphia and the Vicinity. While assuming such immense and 
prestigious responsibilities, he has found time to be a loving father 
of four and the husband of Mary L. Boxley.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my fellow Philadelphians to join me today in 
congratulating Rev. Vernal E. Simms, Sr. on his election as President 
of Black Clergy of Philadelphia and vicinity. I am confident that this 
organization will continue to grow and prosper under his leadership. I 
look forward to his successful future.

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