[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 166 (Friday, October 5, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE LIFE OF REVEREND SAMUEL JOSEPH MAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN KATKO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 5, 2018

  Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Reverend 
Samuel Joseph May, who served as the second minister of the Unitarian 
Church of the Messiah in Syracuse from 1845 to 1868. Reverend May spent 
his career championing prevalent social issues in the 19th century, 
including abolitionism, women's rights and education reform. For his 
advocacy of abolition, Reverend May was inducted into the National 
Abolition Hall of Fame in October 2018.
  Samuel Joseph May was born on September 12, 1797 in Boston, 
Massachusetts. Following an incident that caused the death of his older 
brother, May decided to devote his life to God. He graduated from 
Harvard Divinity School in 1820 and became a Unitarian minister in 
Connecticut. Reverend May was the only Unitarian minister in 
Connecticut and this propelled him to the forefront of the Unitarian 
movement. Throughout the 1820's, Reverend May spread the Unitarian 
message with lectures and publications, such as the The Liberal 
Christian. His broader goal during this time was to create a more 
peaceful society and reform the education system.
  In 1830, Reverend May was inspired to join the abolitionist movement 
after meeting William Lloyd Garrison. He began working with several 
anti-slavery organizations, striving to create racial equality and 
improve education in schools throughout New England. In 1845, after 15 
years of advocacy in the abolitionist movement, Reverend May settled in 
Syracuse and became the pastor at the Unitarian Church of the Messiah.
  Reverend May was extensively involved in aiding escaped slaves along 
the Underground Railroad after joining the Syracuse community. Most 
notably, he assisted in the rescue of a slave named William Henry who 
had been captured by local authorities. His efforts were ultimately 
successful and William Henry became a free man. Also while living in 
Syracuse, May increased his advocacy for women's rights and suffrage. 
His piece The Rights and Condition of Women spoke of struggles women 
faced in the 19th century, most notably the lack of women's voting 
rights. On July 1, 1871, Samuel Joseph May passed away at the age of 
73.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in 
celebrating the work of Reverend Samuel Joseph May. His efforts to free 
our world from the evils of slavery and create a more equal society set 
an outstanding example for all our communities. I congratulate Reverend 
May on his induction into the National Abolition Hall of Fame and 
applaud the efforts of all freedom fighters, past and present

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