[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 43 (Thursday, March 15, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1730-S1731]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO REVEREND HURMON E. HAMILTON, JR.

  Mr. BROWN of Massachusetts. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the 
Reverend Hurmon E. Hamilton, Jr. of Roxbury, MA, a remarkable pastor, 
teacher and leader. Reverend Hamilton grew up in Louisiana, the son of 
a preacher. He attended Grambling State University and went on to earn 
a Master of Divinity Degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary.
  In 1994, Reverend Hamilton began his career in Massachusetts when he 
was elected Senior Pastor of Boston's Roxbury Presbyterian Church. In 
this

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senior ministry position, he led a major capital campaign that 
renovated the historic church's building. More importantly, he 
understood that the church was far more than brick, mortar and stained 
glass and set about expanding the congregation's role in the community 
through their Social Impact Center. Under Reverend Hamilton's 
stewardship, the Center, and particularly its Dream Again Program, 
provided a variety of hands-on programs to help area residents find 
jobs, learn new skills, continue their education and even purchase and 
keep homes.
  Also under his leadership, the Roxbury Presbyterian Church began a 
highly successful ``Adopt-A-School'' program that has been touted as a 
model of excellence.
  Mr. President, if we are known by the fruits of our labor, then 
Reverend Hamilton's time with us in Boston was bountiful. He was a 
champion for summer jobs programs for disadvantaged teens; he also 
helped secure funding for new textbooks for city schools. Yet nowhere 
was he more effective than in his efforts to secure access to health 
insurance for all our citizens. For Reverend Hamilton it was a matter 
of justice. Thanks in large part to his efforts, 98 percent of 
Massachusetts residents are now covered by health insurance. The 
program is not perfect and he understood that, which is why he has 
helped lead the fight to reduce exploding health care costs in our 
state.
  Shortly after coming to Boston, Reverend Hamilton founded the Greater 
Boston Interfaith Organization which has been tremendously effective in 
not just raising awareness of pressing social concerns, but bringing 
together religious and community organizations to actually improve the 
lives of our neighbors. Because of the GBIO and Reverend Hamilton's 
leadership, there are more opportunities for at-risk youth, poor 
families are better educated and equipped to climb the economic ladder, 
and the rights of workers in nursing homes are better protected just to 
name a few of their accomplishments.
  Mr. President, Reverend Hamilton leaves a lasting legacy in 
Massachusetts that expands well beyond his former church's Roxbury 
neighborhood. His impact can be measured in richer and more fulfilling 
lives, improved access to health insurance, better job prospects and 
engaged youth who go on to be productive and effective leaders, parents 
and workers.
  Earlier this year, Reverend Hamilton accepted a new position in his 
words, God reassigned him to a new ministry in California. I join 
Reverend Hamilton's former congregation and all the people whose lives 
he touched in thanking him and wish him and his wife, Dr. Rhonda 
Hamilton, every blessing with their new opportunities in California.

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