[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 164 (Thursday, November 5, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S11203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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               TRIBUTE TO THE REVEREND JOHN (JACK) SHARP

 Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I rise today to pay special tribute 
to an outstanding community leader, the Reverend John (Jack) Sharp of 
Baltimore, MD. Reverend Sharp served as pastor of the Govans 
Presbyterian Church for 27 years. He has distinguished himself by 
reaching far beyond his parish to the entire Baltimore community as a 
visionary and activist determined to move people and social programs 
from inaction to accomplishment.
  Reverend Sharp's mission had always been to aid the poor and the most 
vulnerable citizens. His boldness of purpose and tenacity, coupled with 
a winning and commanding personality, enabled him to unite diverse 
people to work for a common good. Few community activists can match his 
accomplishments. During his career, he encouraged neighborhoods to 
accept and embrace housing for the mentally ill and the homeless. In 
1991, he founded the Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation, GEDCO, 
and he has become one of Baltimore's most dynamic and expansive 
nonprofit developers of senior housing and supportive services for 
those with special needs.
  GEDCO projects and facilities are numerous, providing housing and 
services for the mentally ill and the homeless--including men and women 
with HIV/AIDS--a large community pantry, financial assistance, and job 
development and mentoring. Jack Sharp is most proud of the development 
of his grand vision, Stadium Place, a state-of-the-art senior 
residential campus on the grounds of the old Memorial Stadium. The 
campus is home to four independent living buildings for retirees, an 
intergenerational and interfaith community ``Y'' and playground, and 
shovel-ready plans for an innovative Green House long-term care 
residential facility.
  Reverend Sharp accomplished all of this while serving as a pastor; 
president of the Board of Community Housing Associates of the Baltimore 
Mental Health Systems, Inc; president of the Glen Meadows Retirement 
community; and treasurer of the Baltimore Interfaith Hospitality 
Network. In 2008, he was honored with the Governor's Leadership in 
Aging Award and the National Football League--Ravens--Community 
Quarterback Award for Community Service.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and applauding Jack 
Sharp for all that he has accomplished to improve the lives of citizens 
in Baltimore. He made their challenges his challenge and he has made 
Baltimore City a better place in which to live.

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