[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 27]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 36463]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 A TRIBUTE TO REVEREND LEARY E. BONNETT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2007

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Reverend 
Leary E. Bonnett. Reverend Bonnett, a native of Guyana, completed the 
General Certificate of Education and high school examinations through 
the University of London before migrating to the United States.
  Reverend Bonnett earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from 
Queens College of the City University of New York. He went on to pursue 
a Master of Arts Degree in Human Resources Development from Webster 
University in St. Louis, Missouri as well as a Master of Divinity 
Degree from New York Theological Seminary. Reverend Bonnett is 
currently completing work towards a Doctor of Ministry Degree at United 
Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. specializing in spirituality and 
leadership for the 21st century.
  Reverend Bonnett enlisted in the U.S. Army after college in order to 
fulfill a deterred draft commitment granted to full-time students 
during the Vietnam War. He attended Officers Candidate School at Fort 
Benning, Georgia and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. After 13 
years of distinguished military service, he separated from active duty 
with rank of Major. His military decorations include the U.S. Army Good 
Conduct Medal; the U.S. Army Achievement Medal; and the U.S. Army 
Commendation Medal.
  Reverend Bonnett is the former Executive Director of a parochial day 
school in the Rockaway section of Queens. While there he streamlined 
the curriculum to meet New York State standards. In addition, Reverend 
Bonnett served with the Salvation Army providing therapeutic crisis 
intervention to at-risk youths. After the attacks of September 11, 
2001, he joined a team of family support specialists with the American 
Red Cross to providing benefits and support to family members who lost 
loved ones or were injured in the terrorist attack.
  Reverend Bonnett is currently the Director of Christian Education at 
the Berean Missionary Baptist Church in Brooklyn. He is the Founder and 
Executive Director of Silence The Guns, an educational organization 
dedicated to eliminating handgun usage among America's children. He is 
also the author of two books; Failure is Not the Problem: and Joy 
Cometh in the Morning.
  Reverend Bonnett resides in Brooklyn with his wife, Dr. Terry Jan 
Blackett-Bonnet. He has three children, Kimbia, Amilcar and Haron.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Reverend Bonnett's selfless 
contributions and his works as a mentor to the children of Brooklyn.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to 
Reverend Leary E. Bonnett.

                          ____________________