[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 75 (Thursday, June 15, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1031]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  COMMENDING DR. RAMEK HUNT, DR. GEORGE JENKINS, AND DR. SAMPSON DAVIS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 15, 2000

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw to the attention of my 
colleagues a remarkable and powerful story about three young men who 
have been selected as recipients of my Congressional Community Service 
Award. They have also received Year 2000 Essence Award for outstanding 
community service and have been honored by the organization 100 Black 
Men. Theirs is a success story rooted in their youthful friendship and 
nurtured over the years by mutual support and shared determination to 
reach their goals against all odds.
  Thirteen years ago, three teenage boys from the streets of Newark, 
New Jersey made a pact that they would encourage, support and stand by 
each other until each graduated from medical school. With hard work, 
tenacity, and determination to overcome all obstacles, an amazing thing 
happened--these three friends realized their youthful goal. Their 
impossible dream came true. Last year, Ramek Hunt and Sampson Davis 
received degrees from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New 
Jersey Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and George Jenkins graduated 
from UMDNJ Dental School.
  Growing up, Dr. Ramek Hunt lived in Orange, Newark and Plainfield, 
New Jersey, eventually returning to and settling in Newark. There, he 
attended University High School and clearly succeeded, but the path to 
success was often rocky. He began to focus on his future when a 
recruiter from Seton Hall University visited his school and spoke about 
careers in medicine and dentistry. George Jenkins encouraged Ramek and 
Sam to go with him to Seton Hall and become doctors.
  Dr. George Jenkins was born in South Carolina, but has lived in 
Newark, New Jersey since the age of two. He first lived in the Stella 
Wright Housing projects and then moved to the High Park Gardens Co-op, 
where he still resides. Dr. Jenkins presence in the Newark community is 
a source of inspiration for young people who look to him as a solid 
role model.
  Dr. Sampson Davis was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey where he 
excelled at academics and sports at an early age. As a young man, he 
reached for the stars, determined to succeed not only for himself, but 
for the good of the entire community.
  Even today, the three friends meet together with the young people of 
the community and they share a new goal--to open a health clinic in 
their old neighborhood. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in 
commending these remarkable young men, who have set such a fine example 
of determination to succeed as well as dedication to community service. 
Let us express appreciation for their work and extend best wishes for 
continued success to Doctors Ramek Hunt, George Jenkins and Sampson 
Davis.

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