[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 164 (Thursday, October 12, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1367]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING REVEREND SAMUEL E. GASKINS, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIMMY PANETTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 12, 2017

  Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Reverend Samuel 
E. Gaskins, Sr. for his tireless dedication to improving the lives of 
residents in my district.
   Born in Lake City, South Carolina in 1937, Rev. Gaskins enlisted in 
the United States Army at the age of fifteen. By the age of seventeen 
he was promoted to Staff Sergeant and later a Chief Petty Warrant 
Officer, a testament to his innate leadership skills. After twenty four 
years of military service, including two tours as a chaplain in 
Vietnam, Rev. Gaskins settled in Seaside, California where he continued 
serving the public. In the late 1990s, the United States Army donated 
the former Fort Ord's Army chapel to Rev. Gaskins. Through tireless 
work, he restored and converted the building into the Christian 
Memorial Tabernacle's chapel still in use to this day.
   Rev. Gaskins' efforts to improve the lives of his fellow citizens 
extend far past the walls of his church. Rev. Gaskins has founded 
numerous organizations and initiatives aimed at helping those in our 
community who are most in need. One such program is a new homeless 
ministry named ``The Stepping Stone Outreach Program.'' Rev. Gaskins' 
five year program aims to provide housing and education for over 500 
people in need. I commend Rev. Gaskins for his dedication to caring for 
those in my district who need help the most.
   Apart from his work to care for the less fortunate, Rev. Gaskins has 
worked to foster solidarity and strong relationships among communities 
in my district. One such initiative is ``One Great Fellowship,'' which 
he created in conjunction with Jason Harbert of the Carmel Presbyterian 
Church. One Great Fellowship aims to promote racial harmony between 
communities on the Monterey Peninsula. The program, which involves 
multiple Peninsula churches, has held several interracial and 
interdenominational services per year which regularly drew hundreds of 
people.
   Rev. Gaskins has proven himself to be a natural leader in service to 
his country and community. His life's work adds up to nothing short of 
transforming the lives of the residents of the Central Coast. We are 
lucky to have someone as selfless and dedicated as Rev. Gaskins call 
the 20th district home. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me 
in recognizing Rev. Samuel E. Gaskins, Sr. for his many accomplishments 
and contributions to the betterment of his community, country, and 
fellow man.

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