[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 30, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E109]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING DONALD HAMM AT CONGRESSMAN VELA'S BLACK HISTORY MONTH 
                              CELEBRATION

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                           HON. FILEMON VELA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 30, 2019

  Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Donald Hamm for his 
positive contributions to the Rio Grande Valley.
   Mr. Hamm was born in Montgomery, Alabama and joined the United 
States Army after graduating from high school. He was honorably 
discharged from the military after serving his country for six years. 
He enrolled in nursing school, and has served as a nurse in the Lower 
Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) since the 1990s. The welcoming environment and 
diverse culture of the Valley encouraged Mr. Hamm to make Brownsville 
his permanent home.
   Mr. Hamm is an active member of our community, engaging in areas 
beyond the medical field. He was elected 2nd Vice President of the 
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's LRGV 
chapter. Hamm founded the South Texas Mass Choir (STMC) in 2006, and 
serves as its director. STMC, the first and only Gospel Mass Choir in 
South Texas, had its debut performance in 2006 at the first ever Gospel 
Explosion in Brownsville, Texas at the Jacob Brown Auditorium. Mr. Hamm 
is also a pastor at the Kingdom Connection Worship Center, and provides 
marriage counseling to couples in the region.
   I am pleased to recognize Mr. Hamm's positive work in Texas' 34th 
Congressional District. Brownsville is thankful for his service in the 
military and the medical field. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
thanking him, his family, and friends on this special occasion.

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