[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 16, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E40-E41]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE OF REVEREND GREGORY PERRY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 16, 2024

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to to honor the life and career of 
Reverend Gregory Perry of Norwich, Connecticut, who suddenly and sadly 
passed away this past week. His loss is deeply felt all across the 
state of Connecticut, because of the enormous, inspirational impact 
that he made on our community throughout his life. As the pastor of the 
Greenville Congregational Church, longtime chaplain of Norwich 
Hospital, chairman of the NAACP's Religious Affairs Committee, and 
president of the Norwich Area Interfaith Association, Rev. Perry's 
legacy will be long remembered.
  Born in Norwalk, Connecticut in 1952, Reverand Perry's profound 
spiritualism would manifest early through his involvement at the Grace 
Baptist Church of Norwalk. He attended Wagner College in Staten Island. 
While committed to his studies, Rev. Perry met his future wife, Jayne, 
and they married in 1977. Together, the pair raised three children: 
Janine, Greg, and Jade. In 1979, Rev. Perry graduated from the Yale 
Divinity School where he earned two master's degrees.
  Rev. Perry was raised as one of four children by a single mother and 
proved early on to have a tenacious spirit overcoming life's barriers, 
by teaching himself many basic life skills. Most notably, he taught 
himself how to put together computers. He combined this skill, with his 
passion to uplift disadvantaged members of the community, to spearhead 
a new initiative. ``Building Computers for Humanity''. Through this 
program, he provided computers to students of low-income households, 
who were at that point on the wrong side of

[[Page E41]]

the ``digital divide.'' Today, access to laptops and the internet are 
well understood as necessary tools for young people to succeed, by 
school systems and job training programs. Greg saw this basic need long 
before; it became commonplace because of his empathy and brilliant 
intellect. This project typifies just one aspect of the Reverend's 
giving spirit.
  After entering the ministry, Rev. Perry dedicated his life to 
providing for his community. At the Greenville Congregational Church, 
he coordinated impressive community efforts--especially for the annual 
Martin Luther King Birthday march. He considered the march his 
``baby,'' and invariably looked forward to bringing this event to his 
community annually. Concluding each march, Rev. Perry would give a 
speech focused on a common theme: ``Different American Realities, 
Shared American Dreams'' He actively supported interfaith events within 
the city, such as his participation in the ``Way of the Cross'' 
procession, which was an event held along leaders of the Baha'i faith. 
As president of the Norwich Area Interfaith Association, he and his 
group met with public officials to advocate for community concerns and 
conducted public vigils. The Clergy Association is known within the 
community for its success in carrying out its motto: ``Fostering Unity 
in Diversity in Norwich''.
  Moreover, Rev. Perry's empathetic nature guided him to provide 
resources for and to connect with those in need. At the Greenville 
Congregational Church, he opened his services to churchgoers and non-
churchgoers alike and spoke with anyone after service. He was known to 
give money to those who could not afford meals and to offer his home to 
people without houses of their own.
  Working for the equality of all was a tireless pursuit of Rev. Perry, 
but he also enjoyed his leisure time. He was known for his affinity for 
motorcycles. He was reported to say that if he had so pleased, he would 
spend his days riding his motorcycle. Instead, he incorporated the 
motorcycle into his daily travels. When he arrived at the New London 
County Bar Association's Law Day Luncheon to accept the Law Day award, 
bestowed upon him for his endless efforts to bring unity to his 
community, he arrived on his beloved motorcycle, winning the prize for 
the coolest Law Day awardee ever.
  The absence of Rev. Perry has been felt by many individuals and 
groups within and beyond Southeastern Connecticut, in addition to the 
many members of his family who survive him. I had the distinct 
privilege to know him as a friend, and joined him at ecumenical vigils, 
MLK marches, and youth programs year in and year out. No matter how sad 
the services or challenging the state of the world was, Reverend Perry 
always had a positive hopeful perspective, grounded I believe in his 
deep belief in the goodness in people. He was a beautiful soul, who 
will be sorely missed by his family, friends, neighbors, and 
colleagues.
  Mr. Speaker, Reverend Gregory Perry now joins the pantheon of great 
American spiritual leaders who have advocated staunchly for the life, 
liberty, and happiness of their fellow citizens. He stands shoulder to 
shoulder with the likes of Isaac Backus, a fellow reverend from Norwich 
who fought for independence in 1776 and later the codification of civil 
rights in the newly formed United States. I consider myself immensely 
fortunate to have represented Rev. Perry as a constituent. His 
leadership, inclusiveness, and thoughtfulness will be greatly missed by 
Connecticut residents, especially those of Norwich. We join in mourning 
the immeasurable loss of Rev. Perry with his surviving family: his 
wife, Jayne, and their three children, Janine, Greg, and Jade, their 
respective spouses and descendants. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
remembering Rev. Perry's example.

                          ____________________