[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 188 (Thursday, December 8, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                A TRIBUTE TO REV. BYRON LEAVANCE BENTON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS-

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2011

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Rev. Byron LeaVance 
Benton for his pastoral and community service that has benefited the 
youth and religious community of Brooklyn.
  Rev. Benton, a native of Greensboro, North Carolina, is a graduate of 
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University where he 
majored in Business Education with a concentration in Administrative 
Systems. He earned his Master's of Divinity degree from Princeton 
Theological Seminary, focusing his studies on homiletics and pastoral 
care. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Arts in Marriage and 
Family Therapy at Eastern University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  At A&T, he sat on the board of several programs that reached out to 
troubled youth in the Greensboro area, and he served as the percussion 
section leader and chaplain of the A&T University Band: The Marching 
Machine.
  While at Princeton, Rev. Benton served as a chaplain for both the 
Trenton Psychiatric Hospital in Trenton, New Jersey and the Association 
of Black Seminarians at Princeton Theological Seminary. He was awarded 
the Aaron E. Gast Award in Urban Ministry, the Jagow Award in 
Homiletics and Speech, and the Ray Lindquist Award in Pastoral Care.
  Rev. Benton started a community drumline in Brooklyn, New York 
through the Berean Community and Family Life Center. The drumline's 
vision is to encourage positive, holistic health in youth by providing 
physical activity that combats obesity, prevents disease, and 
encourages an overall healthy lifestyle, while simultaneously creating 
self-discipline and encouraging community service. Their performances 
include: museums, numerous church and youth ministry events, and as 
accompaniment for the Jamal Jackson Dance Company. They were also 
featured in the 2011 Black History Calendar by Aetna Healthcare. They 
placed second in both the 2011 Hot 97 Battle in the Apple and Battle of 
the Drumlines.
  Rev. Benton currently serves as the Associated Pastor of the Berean 
Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York under the mentorship of the Senior 
Pastor, Rev. Dr. Arlee Griffin, Jr. He also sits on the board of 
directors for the Berean Community and Family Life Center.
  Rev. Benton has traveled extensively throughout the world, partnering 
with the National Baptist Convention in Liberia, Africa.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Rev. Byron Benton for his 
exceptional dedication to the youth of Brooklyn and his years of 
pastoral service.

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