[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 161 (Wednesday, December 8, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2089]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO REVEREND CARNELL HAMPTON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 8, 2010

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute a spiritual 
and community leader as he retires from the ministry. Reverend Carnell 
Hampton has been a tremendous light in Clarendon County during his 45 
years at Melina Presbyterian Church and his daily guidance will be 
sorely missed.
  Reverend Hampton grew up in the Mayesville community of Sumter 
County, and graduated from the historic Goodwill Parachoial School. He 
chose to return close to home following his graduation from seminary at 
Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina to serve at 
Melina Presbyterian Church. He built the church into the center of the 
Gable community, expanding its membership and its missions. He has 
lived next door to the church and been an active member of the 
community throughout his career. Over his more than four decades in the 
ministry, Reverend Hampton has made innumerable contributions to the 
community, the state, the Presbytery, the Synod and the Presbyterian 
Church (U.S.A.).
  I want to personally thank Reverend Hampton for his friendship and 
support. Just six weeks after my election to Congress in 1992, he and 
the Melina Presbyterian Church Family welcomed me into their worship 
service and congratulated me on behalf of the community. His care and 
concern for the community extends beyond the church walls, and he let 
me know he expected me to represent the community well. I have worked 
hard to meet his expectations.
  Reverend Hampton is married to Carrie Edwards a native of 
Spartanburg, South Carolina and the couple has one son Jermaine 
Carnell, a daughter-in-law Hollie, and two grandchildren Nathan and 
August.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Reverend Hampton on his retirement. He has touched 
countless lives and left an indelible mark on this community. His 
service to Clarendon County and the Presbyterian Church will be long 
remembered, and hard to replace. I offer my best wishes as he enters 
this new phase of his life, and know that he will continue to be an 
important part of the community.

                          ____________________