[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 2, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E647-E648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO REVEREND CANON DR. ALONZO CLEMONS PRUITT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 2, 2003

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Reverend Canon Dr. Alonzo 
Clemons Pruitt in recognition of his steadfast commitment to his 
community.
  Reverend Pruitt served as the Sixth Rector of St. Philip's Church 
from September 12, 1993 to March 30, 2003. During his ministry,

[[Page E648]]

he made significant contributions to his community, church and 
congregation. For example, he helped raise an additional $20,000 for 
the Endowment fund; he founded the All Saints Gospel Choir and 
developed a movie night as a vehicle for a youth ministry in the Parish 
and in the Brooklyn Archdeaconry. Rev. Pruitt also established blood 
donation drives and was responsible for the placement of Black icons in 
the church.
  In addition to his congregation at St. Phillip's, Reverend Pruitt 
served as a Chaplain to the New York State Assembly and the New York 
State Senate, Adjunct Professor at George Mercer School of Theology, 
Dean of St. Matthew's (Central Brooklyn) Deanery, Chairman of the 
Diocesan Department of the Budget of the Diocese, Secretary of the 
Board of Managers of Episcopal Health Services, Chaplain of the Clergy 
Caucus of Central Brooklyn Churches, Chairman of the Diocesan 
Commission on Addiction and Recovery, and Vice-President of Recovery 
Ministries of The Episcopal Church. He was also a Member of Community 
Board No. 3 in Brooklyn and a member of the Steering Committee of the 
81st Precinct Police Clergy Caucus.
  While the Rector of St. Phillip's, Canon Pruitt received numerous 
awards and honors including: The 1994 Community Service Award from 
Brooklyn Gas; 1995 Community Service Award from Crown Heights Lions 
Club; 1998 Community Service Award from Bedford-Stuyvesant Headstart; 
1999 Community Service Award from the City of New York Police Reserve 
Association; 2000 Community Service Award from New York Blood Center; 
2001 Community Service Award from the 81st Precinct Police Community 
Relations Council, and 2002 Community Service Award from The New York 
City Police Department. Most recently, he received the 2002 Chairman's 
Award for Service from the Central Brooklyn Churches. In addition to 
this long list of community service honors, in 1996, he was awarded a 
Doctor of Divinity, honors causa, from St. Paul's College, citing 
career excellence in community service and parish ministry.
  He also raised funds to help rebuild churches throughout the country 
such as St. Thomas Church in Farmingdale, NY, St. Paul's Cathedral in 
Oklahoma City, OK, and a church in Princeville, NC.
  Mr. Speaker, with his numerous awards and community contributions, 
Reverend Canon Dr. Alonzo Clemons Pruitt has shown that he is clearly 
dedicated to his community. As such, he is more than worthy of 
receiving our recognition today. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
honoring this truly remarkable human being.

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