[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 145 (Friday, November 4, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO THE REVEREND JAMES H. BILLINGTON OF SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA

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                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 4, 2005

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me today in 
paying tribute to the Reverend James H. Billington. For the past 6 
years, Rev. Billington has been the Rector of St. Matthew's Episcopal 
Church in San Mateo, California, in my Congressional district, and one 
of the largest and most important parishes in the State of California. 
After filling his spiritual calling on the West Coast, Fr. Billington 
and his family have decided to return to their roots on the East Coast. 
Though this will be a loss both to his congregation and to our 
community, I wish Fr. Billington well in his future endeavors, and I 
know he will be a tremendous asset to whatever church family or 
organization he joins next.
  Fr. Billington had a remarkably successful tenure at St. Matthew's. 
From a spiritual perspective, he led a passionate effort to strengthen 
Sunday School programs for church youth, increased the number and 
variety of worship services, and was a constant source of love and 
compassion to his elderly parishioners. He expanded ecumenical outreach 
by allowing a local Hispanic Pentecostal congregation to use St. 
Matthew's for their own services. Through his work with the Mills 
Health Center, he integrated healing services into the church calendar 
for cancer patients and opened the church during business hours for 
hospital staff.
  Mr. Speaker, Fr. Billington was also very successful in matters of 
church administration. Despite a substantial increase in unemployment 
among his parishioners from Silicon Valley, annual giving increased by 
37 percent. Through his solid leadership and strict fiscal policies, 
the church was able to completely retire a long-standing debt that Fr. 
Billington had inherited when he assumed leadership of the parish. In 
addition, the historic physical structure of the church was improved 
through major restorations to the stained glass windows and the organ, 
and the St. Matthew's Day School was restored to its earlier 
prominence. To the delight of his parishioners, Fr. Billington restored 
a previously condemned, church-owned historic landmark building into a 
community center for contemplative outreach.
  An inspired church leader, Fr. Billington is also a gifted 
intellectual and dedicated humanitarian. His path to the priesthood 
began in earnest with his enrollment in the Episcopal Divinity School 
from which he graduated in 1996 with a Master of Divinity degree. Prior 
to this, he received a BA and an MBA from Harvard University. Before 
entering the priesthood, Fr. Billington earned several accolades for 
humanitarian work. He was awarded the Lyndhurst Prize in 1985--an 
annual award given to only five Americans for outstanding humanitarian 
contributions. From 1984 to 1986, Fr. Billington served as Director of 
the Appalachia Habitat for Humanity. In recognition of his 
extraordinary leadership, his chapter was named a model chapter by the 
founder, Millard Fuller.
  Mr. Speaker, it has been a great pleasure for me to work with Fr. 
Billington on various community events and to become acquainted on a 
personal level with his family. His lovely wife Julia is currently a 
respected physician at Mills Health Center. She previously served as an 
Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Julia's 
dedication to the San Mateo community mirrors that of her husband's. 
The two of them have worked together to take on many important 
projects, including a mission to provide free medical care to those in 
need. The Billingtons are the happy and proud parents of four boys: 
James, Adam, Jonathan and Joshua.
  Fr. Billington has been an integral part of interfaith efforts that 
have greatly benefited my congressional district and beyond. He has 
been aptly described as a true community leader, an outstanding rector, 
and an all-around humanitarian. After 6 years of tireless service to 
St. Matthews and the community, Fr. Billington will be deeply missed. 
His deep commitment and dedication to the Episcopal Church earned him 
the highest esteem and trust of all whose lives he touched. His 
spiritual leadership has brought joy, peace and comfort to his 
parishioners. His eloquent sermons were an inspiration to all. By 
engaging his wry sense of humor, he has been able to simplify complex 
religious issues for his parishioners.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Fr. 
Billington for his contributions and dedication to public service. I 
wish him and his family many more years of richly deserved good health 
and happiness.

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