[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 155 (Friday, December 15, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  TRIBUTE TO REVEREND PATRICIA BRUGER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 15, 2000

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the 
deeds of a remarkable person from my district, the Reverend Patricia 
Bruger of Dumont, New Jersey, who was recognized on Wednesday, October 
25, 2000 because of her many years of service and leadership. It is 
only fitting that she be honored, for she has a long history of caring, 
generosity and commitment to others.
  Reverend Bruger was recognized for her many years of leadership in 
Paterson, which I have been honored to represent in Congress since 
1997, and so it is appropriate that these words are immortalized in the 
annals of this greatest of all freely elected bodies.
  Born and raised in Washington, DC, Reverend Bruger is a graduate of 
the University of Maryland, where she earned her BS in Education in 
1969. She then received her Masters of Divinity at the Drew Theological 
Seminary in 1995. She and her husband of 28 years, Carl, have four 
special children, Pete, Cassandra, Lynn and Kit. In addition to 
contributing much to her friends and neighbors, she has been blessed 
with four wonderful children. I know that they have brought her much 
pleasure and happiness.
  Reverend Bruger has always been an active and involved leader. The 
time spent at the Drew Theological Seminary and in her early career 
instilled in her the attributes necessary for her to become a stellar 
force in the community.
  Known for a questioning mind and an ability to get things done, 
Reverend Bruger began her career in education. From 1969 until 1972 she 
served as a high school physical education teacher in Silver Spring, 
Maryland. She later moved to New Jersey and served as a substitute 
teacher in the Bergen County School System from 1985 to 1991.
  Around this time, Reverend Bruger was emerging as an active leader 
within the United Methodist Church (UMC). From 1984 until 1992 she 
served as the youth director for the Calvary United Methodist Church in 
Dumont.
  As a religious and spiritual leader, Reverend Bruger currently holds 
numerous positions. She is the New Jersey Executive Director of CUMAC/
ECHO in Paterson. She is also the Pastor of two churches; Madison Park 
Epoworth UMC and Paterson Avenue UMC.
  Reverend Bruger continually touches the lives of the people around 
her. She currently is a member of the NNJAC Shalom Holy Boldness Task 
Force. Also, she offers Pastoral Counseling at Shelter Our Sisters of 
Passaic County, New Jersey on domestic violence by referral. In 
addition, she is a member of the New Jersey area Bishop's Task Force on 
Urban Ministries.
  Mr. Speaker, I can say that I can think of few people who work harder 
or care more about others than Reverend Bruger. She served as the 
President of the Emergency Food Coalition of Passaic County from 1993 
to 1996, and is currently the Coordinator of Emergency Assistance 
System in Paterson. In addition, Reverend Bruger is a member of the 
Paterson Alliance, a group comprised of non-profit organizations 
seeking to enhance the community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Reverend Bruger's 
family and friends, CUMAC-ECHO, Inc., United Methodist Urban 
Ministries, the City of Paterson and me in recognizing the outstanding 
and invaluable services to the community of Reverend Patricia Bruger.

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