[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 142 (Friday, October 11, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF REVEREND DR. CLARENCE NORMAN, SR.

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                        HON. HAKEEM S. JEFFRIES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 11, 2013

  Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 
achievements of Reverend Dr. Clarence Norman, Sr. During his 60 years 
of service, Rev. Norman has ministered to tens of thousands and worked 
tirelessly to improve the lives of all those he encountered. In honor 
of his six decades of service to our community, Rev. Norman was honored 
at a celebratory banquet on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at Russo's on the 
Bay in Howard Beach, New York.
  In 1953, he helped found the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg 
located in Brooklyn, New York, which later relocated to the Crown 
Heights neighborhood. Shortly after the church's founding, he was 
ordained as pastor. Today, the First Baptist Church of Crown Heights 
has a congregation of over 2,000 people.
  In addition to his ministry at the First Baptist Church of Crown 
Heights, Rev. Norman has been dedicated to improving housing and 
education in the community.
  Rev. Norman's commitment to education is evidenced by his own 
academic achievements: he received a Bachelor of Arts from Bloomfield 
College, and a Master of Divinity and Doctorate in Religion from Howard 
University. The importance of education was imparted to the youth he 
mentored and taught. He served as the Director of the John Edward Bruce 
Day Care Center and Dean and Assistant Principal of the Whitelaw Reid 
Junior High School. Additionally, he taught social studies at the 
Nathaniel Macon Junior High School.
  In 1987, Rev. Norman founded the Local Development Corporation of 
Crown Heights, which has developed over 800 housing units for senior 
citizens and low-income families.
  He has received numerous honors and awards including the 1969-1970 
Parish Ministry Fellowship by the Fund for Theological Education and 
the First Annual Ecumenical Award from the National Conference of 
Christians and Jews. In 2002, he was honored by Ebony Magazine as a 
``great black father.'' Rev. Norman is an inspirational leader whose 
work would not have been possible without the love and support of his 
wife Ellen Norman and their devoted five children. 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 Reverend Norman on his 60th 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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