[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 117 (Monday, September 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   STATEMENT ON THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF BISHOP ERIC R. FIGUEROA, SR.

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                        HON. HAKEEM S. JEFFRIES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 9, 2013

  Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 
achievements of Bishop Eric R. Figueroa, Sr. During his 30 years of 
service, Bishop Figueroa has ministered to thousands and worked 
tirelessly to improve the lives of all those he encountered. In honor 
of his three decades of service to our community, Bishop Figueroa was 
honored at a celebratory banquet on Monday, May 20, 2013 at Russo's on 
the Bay in Howard Beach, New York.
  In 1983, Bishop Figueroa founded New Life Tabernacle, which has been 
an important part of our community. In addition to his ministry at the 
church, Bishop Figueroa has demonstrated a strong commitment to 
improving the lives of the people of Brooklyn through the Family Life 
Development Center. The Center provides an impressive range of services 
which include: a food pantry, drug rehabilitation programs, juvenile 
alternatives to incarceration, mentoring, counseling, college 
preparation, scholarships, and senior citizen programming. He 
recognized the needs of the people of Brooklyn and found solutions. His 
work has provided critical services to those most in need.
  Bishop Figueroa's efforts as a founding member of Brooklyn 
Congregations Together, which united church communities in the borough 
to best meet the needs of the people, are commendable. The community 
remains indebted to the New Life Covenant Fellowship, which educates 
and empowers new leaders. Bishop Figueroa is truly a gifted teacher, 
preacher, and singer.
  He is an inspirational leader whose work would not have been possible 
without the love and support of his wife Doreen Figueroa and their 
devoted children and grandchildren. We thank his family for sharing him 
with us all. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished 
colleagues join me in congratulating Bishop Figueroa on his 30th 
pastoral anniversary. For his commitment to the people of Brooklyn and 
to his service of those less fortunate, he is worthy of the highest 
praise.

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