[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Pages 17939-17940]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                 TRIBUTE TO VERY REVEREND A.G. DOUMATO

  Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President. I rise today to praise and commend the 
dedication and commitment of Very Reverend Abdulahad Gabriel Doumato 
who, for the past fifty years, has led the parish of Saint Ephraim's 
Syrian Orthodox Church in Rhode Island.
  Approximately 300 friends, family members, clergymen, elected 
officials, and parishioners will gather on Sunday, August 1st, to honor 
Father Doumato on this milestone. A native of Syria, we in his adopted 
state of Rhode Island have benefitted from and been enriched by Father 
Doumato's selfless service, devotion, compassion and wisdom--attributes 
which have characterized his long and distinguished tenure.
  Father Doumato is a compassionate individual who cares profoundly for 
his community. He is a deeply peaceful and religious man who possesses 
boundless hope and optimism. He has consistently and successfully 
worked for the betterment of his community and has always served with 
faith and devotion. Indeed, he is a man of integrity, flawless 
character, unquestionable commitment, and one who has earned a sterling 
reputation as a pillar of his community.
  The original community of Saint Ephraim's Church in Rhode Island was 
formed by a group of immigrant families who came to the United States 
before the turn of the century. This small, industrious community 
managed to buy a house and use it as a parish center and chapel for 
worship. The church was subsequently chartered in 1913.
  Although Saint Ephraim's has only been in existence for 86 years, the 
Syrian Orthodox Church has its roots in the original Christian Church 
of Jerusalem. The dean of Apostles, Saint Peter, who personally 
anointed his successor before his journey to Rome, founded the Church 
in Antioch. The Church's current supreme leader, His Holiness Mor 
Ignatius Zakka I, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, is the 122nd 
direct successor of Saint Peter. The church claims a wealth of 
theological, liturgical, and musical traditions. Indeed, to this day 
the liturgy is conducted in Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus 
Christ, and was the lingua franca in the Near East.
  Mr. President, Father Doumato has enjoyed an interesting and 
fulfilling career in the ministry of his church. Like many of us, his 
life has been filled with challenges, hardships and hope. Unlike many 
of us, however, he has enjoyed some truly unique and rich experiences. 
He was born in 1918 and raised in the shadow of the Cathedral Church of 
the Virgin Mary in the city of Homs, Syria. He was educated in Homs, 
first in his Church's school and later by Jesuit Brothers. His interest 
in theology and his Church was an early and important part of his life. 
His father, the late Gabriel Doumato, who immigrated to Rhode Island in 
1973, was an ardent supporter of the Church and served his community in 
many capacities.
  Upon completing his education, Father Doumato taught in the Church's 
schools across Syria. At the beginning of World War II, he entered the 
French-run National Police Academy and graduated with honors in 1939. 
For the next ten years, he served as a member of the National Police 
Force. Throughout this period, he continued to serve the Church as a 
deacon and was constantly urged by His Holiness Patriarch Ephraim, the 
Church's supreme leader, to join the ministry. In 1949, he resigned his 
commission and entered the Seminary of the Syrian Orthodox Church in 
Syria.
  Father Doumato was ordained into the priesthood in August 1950 by His 
Holiness Patriarch Ephraim and immediately assigned to serve the church 
in Central Falls, Rhode Island. Because of visa delays however, he was 
unable to

[[Page 17940]]

attend to this position for two years. In the meantime, he remained in 
Homs and served as personal secretary to His Holiness the Patriarch.
  Accompanied by his wife, Victoria, and their four young children, 
Father Doumato arrived in Rhode Island in August 1952 to lead his new 
congregation. Ever since his arrival, Father Doumato has quietly and 
faithfully served God, his parish, our State and, indeed, our country. 
He has also authored numerous publications about the history of the 
church and its Divine Liturgy. In 1970, his dedication and self-
sacrifice was recognized and honored when he was elevated to the 
position of Cor-Episcopose--the highest distinction of the priesthood. 
In 1991, he was again honored for his service and was awarded the Holy 
Cross of the Archdioceses of the United States and Canada.
  In closing, I would like to extend my very best wishes on this 
special occasion to Father Doumato, to his family, and to his 
parishioners at Saint Ephraim's Church. We are all very proud of Father 
Doumato, and appreciative of his many contributions to his community, 
and to our state.
  I would now like to recognize my colleague, Senator Reed, who also 
wishes to honor Father Doumato.
 Mr. REED. Mr. President, I, too, wish to join Senator Chafee 
in paying tribute to the Very Reverend Abdulahad Gabriel Doumato on the 
occasion of his fiftieth anniversary as leader of the parish of Saint 
Ephraim's Syrian Orthodox Church in Rhode Island.
  A proud and patriotic ``American'', Father Doumato loves his adopted 
country and is happiest when helping the new immigrants within his 
flock assimilate into American society. Mr. President, Father Doumato 
is responsible for sponsoring hundreds of new citizens to our great 
nation, granting them the opportunity to live the American dream. He 
has educated these families--including those of six of his brothers and 
sisters--about our system of government and the privilege, opportunity, 
and responsibility of American citizenship.
  Father Doumato is often heard telling his parishioners, ``There is no 
country like the United States. It truly is the land of opportunity and 
you should thank God for the opportunity you have to live in this great 
land.'' A good shepherd, Father Doumato has been a shining example to 
his family and his flock.
  The Doumatos are a sizable and considerable clan in Rhode Island--the 
extended family numbers over 120 persons. We cannot imagine that there 
has been a single elected official in the Blackstone Valley area, or 
across the State, that has not come into contact with a member of the 
family. Indeed, father Doumato's children, grandchildren, nephews and 
nieces have been industrious citizens and have served our country in 
numerous positions of distinction, including as officers in the Armed 
Forces, diplomats, university educators, U.S. Senate aides and senior 
advisors, engineers, and leaders in law, the arts, medicine, commerce 
and industry. He and his family have richly contributed to the 
betterment of our community in Rhode Island.
  Mr. President, in closing, I would also like to wish Reverend Doumato 
and his wife, Victoria, a happy and healthy 57th Anniversary, which 
they will celebrate later this year.
  May his children and grandchildren--along with his parishioners--
continue to benefit from his wisdom!

                          ____________________