[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 48 (Thursday, March 12, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE REV. PHILLIP R. BYRUM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 12, 2020

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the decades 
of dedicated public service of a great North Carolinian, role model and 
man of faith, the Rev. Phillip R. Byrum--known to many as Father Phil.
  Born in 1941, Rev Phillip R. Byrum is a native of Greensboro, North 
Carolina--son of the late Robert and Margaret Byrum. He attended 
Greensboro Public Schools and graduated from Greensboro College in 1963 
with a degree in philosophy and religion.
  He went on to attend the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, 
Massachusetts, graduating in 1966. He was assigned to St. Michael's 
Church in Tarboro, North Carolina and St. Mary's Church in Speed, North 
Carolina. He was ordained to the Priesthood on June 24, 1967, at Christ 
Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.
  Father Phil was married to the former Anne Stuart Barnette in 1966. 
They became parents to two sons, Robert Stuart, born 1968 and John 
Keith, born in 1970. He is also a proud grandfather of seven 
grandchildren and great-grandfather of one.
  Father Phil and his family moved to Albemarle, North Carolina in 
1969, where he became the Rector of Christ Church. He and his family 
spent a joyful 22 years in this parish, with both sons attending local 
schools, and leaving to attend and graduate from University of North 
Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  Serving with passion and humility, Father Phil was a dedicated 
minister to his congregation and was heavily involved in many facets of 
community life, as well as the work of the Diocese of North Carolina. 
For many years, he chaired the Commission on Liturgy and Music, and 
directed a music and worship camp for children on behalf of the Diocese 
for 19 years. He also began a long relationship with the Society of St. 
Margaret in Boston, Massachusetts where he served as a visiting 
chaplain to the Sisters for many years.
  ln May 1991, Rev. Byrum accepted a call to become Rector of St. 
Timothy's Church in Wilson, North Carolina. Shortly after, a temporary 
assignment stretched into nearly 30 years of service as Father Phil was 
asked to serve as priest-in-charge of a historic African American 
church in East Wilson, St. Mark's Church.
  Father Phil completed his service in ministry from St. Timothy's in 
2000, and focused his ministry service on St. Mark's, while also 
serving La Iglesia de la Guadalupana, the Spanish-speaking church 
officially recognized as a congregation in 1998 and shares St. Mark's 
facilities. Father Phil devoted his service in ministry at St. Mark's 
and La Guadalupana until his final retirement in 2020.
  Father Phil had the privilege of leading his congregations at St. 
Mark's and La Guadalupana in serving the community with worship 
services in English and Spanish and through community outreach programs 
such as food ministries, tutoring programs, and assistance programs for 
those facing critical situations in their lives.
  On February 29, 2020, Father Phil retired from active ministry and 
will continue to live in his home community.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating and 
honoring the Rev. Phillip R. Byrum as he is recognized for his many 
years of service. His lifelong contribution to his congregations and 
community cannot be overstated.

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