[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 112 (Wednesday, September 20, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1547-E1548]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO THE REVEREND BERTRAM G. BENNETT, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 20, 2000

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding individual who has devoted his life to serving others, 
Reverend Bertram G. Bennett, Jr. He will be honored by the Wardens, 
Vestry and People of Saint David's Episcopal Church on Sunday, 
September 17, 2000 for 20 years of ministry at Saint David's.
  Reverend Bertram G. Bennett, Jr., was born in New York City on 
September 23, 1951 and has been Priest-in-Charge of St. David's 
Episcopal Church in the Bronx since 1980. He received a B.A. in 
Behavioral Science from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina and 
a Master of Divinity from the General Theological Seminary in New York 
City and was ordained Deacon in 1977 and Priest in 1978.
  Fr. Bennett strongly upholds the Diocese of New York's mission 
statement of ``effective church presence in poor communities.'' Born 
and raised in Harlem and carrying out his ministry in the South Bronx, 
Fr. Bennett is very much aware of the problems that afflict such 
communities.
  Serving on a number of committees and boards, Fr. Bennett is well-
known and respected in the Diocese, the parish and the community. He 
has served on the Diocesan Council and on several Diocesan committees. 
He is currently the Chair of the South Bronx Interparish Council, and 
in that capacity stresses the importance of the parishes meeting on a 
regular basis and sharing information and resources. Fr. Bennett is 
also on the Board of Episcopal Social Services, an organization that 
assists people of all ages throughout the Diocese.
  Under Fr. Bennett's encouragement, St. David's has been a member of 
South Bronx Churches (SBC) since its beginning in 1987. SBC is an 
ecumenical broad-based organization of the Industrial Areas Foundation 
(IAF), involved with problems the communities in the South Bronx face 
regarding housing, illegal drugs, education, health, and employment. As 
Chair of the Housing Task Force of the South Bronx Churches, Fr. 
Bennett has been instrumental in the development of affordable homes in 
the South Bronx. He is also Chair of the Board of the Senior Housing 
Development. The accomplishments result from the hard work and 
motivation of Fr. Bennett whose steadfast perseverance is an 
inspiration to his parishioners.
  Important to Fr. Bennett's ministry is his involvement with youth 
work in the church and community. He has served as Chair of the Board 
of Bronx Youth Ministry and has recently been appointed to serve on the 
School Chancellor's Interfaith Advisory Council. St. David's After 
School Program and Summer Day Camp are vital community programs that 
offer supervised and structured activities for the youngsters. In 
recent years, Fr. Bennett has encouraged the men of the Parish to meet 
on a regular basis with the young men of the community for prayer and 
fellowship during the week.
  Before coming to St. David's, Fr. Bennett served in churches in the 
Bronx and Manhattan. As a parish priest, he places a high priority on 
making pastoral calls, visiting the sick and shut-ins, and counseling. 
Many times he has been able to assist members of the church and 
community through court appearances and intervention with the 
Department of Social Services, and giving support to parents dealing 
with school authorities.
  Among the church and community organizations that have honored Fr. 
Bennett for his

[[Page E1548]]

ministry are the Boys of Yesteryear, the Bronx Council, Bronx Youth 
Ministry, and the New York City Council of Churches.
  Fr. Bennett is a devoted family man, as is evident to those who have 
met his wife, Ledda, their children and grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Reverend 
Bertram G. Bennett, Jr., for his remarkable career of serving the 
community and bringing hope to the many individuals he has touched.

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