[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 12, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E816-E817]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF DEXTER McNAMARA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 12, 2010

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the 
Reverend Dexter McNamara. On Thursday May 6th, Dexter was honored in 
Sacramento by the Interfaith Service Bureau for his outstanding work 
with the faith community. I ask all my colleagues to join me in 
thanking him for his work in bringing people of all faiths together to 
address our community's most pressing needs.
  After earning his bachelor's degree from UCLA and his master of 
divinity from Princeton University, Dexter served as an associate 
pastor for 21 years with congregations in Colorado and California. 
Because of his outstanding work with his congregation and his ability 
to create greater understanding among faith groups, Dexter was offered 
a position as the executive director of Sacramento's Interfaith Service 
Bureau.
  Dexter led the Interfaith Service Bureau for 16 years, from 1993-
2010. Under his leadership, we were continually reminded that our 
similarities are greater than our differences. He brought us together 
by mentoring faith and community leaders, while also leading numerous 
interfaith projects throughout the region. Dexter has helped the 
religious community in Sacramento grow and prosper by addressing the 
challenges of ministering to the needs of diverse people and cultures. 
He has helped people of different religious backgrounds overcome their 
differences and work together towards peace and unity.
  In 1999, Dexter and the Interfaith Service Bureau coordinated an 
interfaith response after several synagogues were targeted by hate 
groups and firebombed. Similarly after the September 11 attacks on our 
country, he led a community service at the Cathedral of the Blessed 
Sacrament, bringing all faiths together in interfaith worship services. 
Out of this came the Call for Unity, annual event to

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recognize outstanding community leadership in building bridges of 
understanding.
  Dexter has been recognized numerous times for his outstanding work 
bringing people together for the common goal of justice and peace. He 
was awarded the Outstanding Leadership Award by the Sacramento Area 
Congregations Together, the Distinguished Award by the Sacramento Area 
League of Associated Muslims, the Building Unity Award by the 
Sacramento Housing Alliance, and the Community Leadership Award by the 
Federal Bureau of Investigation.
  Dexter organized the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster for 
Sacramento from 2005-2008, and chaired the California Interfaith Power 
and Light working group from 2005-2008, which worked to raise awareness 
of global warming and climate change. He served on the Wells Fargo 
Community Advisory Board, the Family Support Collaborative Board, the 
Sacramento City Mayor's Youth Task Force, and the local Childcare and 
Development Planning Council.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize the Reverend Dexter McNamara 
for his outstanding work with Sacramento's Interfaith Service Bureau, 
and in bringing people of different faiths together to work towards 
bettering our community and understanding of one another. I once again 
ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Reverend Dexter McNamara for 
all that he has done for the people of Sacramento.

                          ____________________