[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 26, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E780-E781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO REVEREND CAROLINE HALL--CALIFORNIA'S 24TH CONGRESSIONAL 
                       DISTRICT WOMAN OF THE YEAR

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                         HON. SALUD O. CARBAJAL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 26, 2022

  Mr. CARBAJAL. Madam Speaker, each year, through the Women of the Year 
Award,

[[Page E781]]

my office extends special recognition to women on the Central Coast who 
have made a difference in our community. I would like to recognize one 
outstanding Women of the Year Award recipient, Reverend Caroline Hall 
of Los Osos, California.
  The Reverend Doctor Caroline J. Addington Hall is a tireless advocate 
for the homeless, for the LGBTQ+ community, for the environment, for 
social justice, for children, and for our furry and feathered friends. 
She doesn't just talk; she DOES.
  Caroline Hall was the Executive Director of Court Appointed Special 
Advocates (CASA) for San Luis Obispo County before being called to the 
ministry. She now serves as Rector at St. Benedict's Episcopal Church, 
a vibrant and welcoming faith community with deep roots in social and 
environmental justice and community organizing in Los Osos. She 
ministers to the members of St. Benedict's with her usual dedication as 
the Rector, as well as to individuals in the community who are unhoused 
or struggling with major life challenges. People know her kind and 
loving dedication, making St. Benedict's the place for anyone in 
trouble, needing a motel, gas for their car, or just a ride.
  An advocate for the unhoused and underserviced, Rev. Hall is vocal 
about the need for increased homeless services. She served as Executive 
Director and later President of People of Faith for Justice (PFJ) 
within San Luis Obispo County, which advocates for social justice for 
the underserved and marginalized, as well as for peace and nonviolence. 
She currently serves on the County's Homeless Services Oversight 
Council. Rev. Hall has spent many nights at the local warming shelter 
for unhoused people during cold and rainy weather and developed a pilot 
safe parking program. She has taken many unhoused to doctor 
appointments, vet appointments for their animals, and bought them food 
and clothing. As Chair of the nonprofit Los Osos Cares, she oversees 
the assistance programs for vulnerable residents in Los Osos, Cayucos, 
and Morro Bay.
  Rev. Hall has served on the GALA board, was a founding member of the 
Coalition of Welcoming Congregations, advocating for the LGBTQ+ 
community--especially in faith communities--and for social justice. She 
has served as a board member and president of Integrity USA, the 
national Episcopal ministry for LGBTQ+ persons, helping to pass 
national resolutions supporting the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, 
same-gender marriage, and addressing gender identity and advocating for 
legislation protecting transgender individuals. She is also the author 
of A Thorn in the Flesh, presenting the history of LGBTQ inclusion in 
the Episcopal Church.
  Rev. Hall encourages others to be good stewards of our earth through 
her work with the Social Justice team of the Episcopal diocese of El 
Camino Real, as a member of the Earth Care Team at St. Benedict's, and 
has given innumerable volunteer hours to organizations dedicated to the 
preserving our environment and helping animals.
  Rev. Hall is tireless, fearless, an incredible communicator, and even 
a published author. She truly is a woman that believes being part of 
the solution is required for all of us to make our community, country, 
and world a better place for everyone. Her positive impact on the 
community is beyond measure.
  I am honored to recognize Reverend Caroline Hall for her continued 
commitment to San Luis Obispo County. I ask all Members to join me 
today in honoring an exceptional woman of California's 24th 
Congressional District, Reverend Caroline Hall, for her incredible 
service to her community.

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