[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 62 (Thursday, April 29, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S2800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO HENRY SHELTON

 Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, today I wish to honor a Rhode 
Islander who has devoted his life to improving the lot of others. For 
decades now, the name Henry Shelton has rung out as a clarion for 
social justice and equality in our Ocean State. He is and has always 
been a voice for the little guy--the homeless veteran, the hungry 
child, or the underpaid laborer.
  Most folks in Rhode Island know Henry as the founder and coordinator 
of the George Wiley Center, a nonprofit antipoverty organization based 
in Pawtucket. But before that, Henry was a Catholic priest for 16 
years, during which he began organizing needy Rhode Islanders in 
Providence to elect leaders responsive to their needs. In 1973 he left 
the church to marry his beloved Carol, a former nun who shared his 
passion for advocacy.
  Ever since then, Henry has been ``raising hell,'' as he might say, 
and fighting for Rhode Island's overlooked and underpaid. In 1974 he 
started the Coalition for Consumer Justice and in 1981 founded the 
George Wiley Center. Over the years Henry has organized sit-ins, 
battled budget cuts, fasted to get clothes for children on welfare, 
advocated to keep electricity rates down for low income residents, and 
even been arrested for disorderly conduct--a fact which may amuse those 
who know Henry as a peaceful and gentle man.
  And last year, Henry fought through his toughest battle yet. Just 
before the New Year, Henry suffered a serious stroke which landed him 
in the hospital. Anyone with a friend or family member who has 
experienced a stroke knows that the recovery is often a slow and 
painful process, but none of this stopped Henry. In fact, the headline 
in the Providence Journal following his hospitalization read: 
``Advocate for the poor, Henry Shelton, suffers stroke--but continue 
work from hospital.'' The paper went on to report that Henry organized 
a State house rally from his hospital bed.
  This is the Henry I know, and who we in Rhode Island have known and 
loved for many years. This Monday in Rhode Island, the Fund for 
Community Progress will present Henry with its Profile in Courage 
Award, which the organization describes as a ``distinctive honor for 
those who have dedicated their lives to creating positive change in the 
community.'' Henry Shelton has generated enough positive change in his 
life to satisfy that requirement many times over.
  And so today, Mr. President, I would like to thank Henry Shelton for 
a lifetime of selflessness and courage, and for always being a voice 
for those who needed one most.

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