[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6033]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      PAYING TRIBUTE TO REVEREND ROBERT ROYAL ON HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 26, 2009

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, it is with great honor and enthusiasm that 
I rise to congratulate my good friend Reverend Robert Royal as he joins 
his family, long time friends, and the Harlem community together in 
celebration of his 80th Birthday. This momentous and joyous occasion 
will be celebrated with an extraordinary affair on March 1, 2009 in the 
headquarters of ``Our Children's Foundation'' in my beloved village of 
Harlem.
  Reverend Royal has a very rich history that has given him life and 
longevity. It all began in the winter day of January 27, 1929. At the 
tender age of fifteen, Mary, his dear mother, gave birth and quickly 
abandon her newborn on the streets of Harlem. Among the many reasons 
that could compel a mother to make such a heart wrenching decision, one 
can only assume that uncertainty in her tender age and the economic 
downturn that was to become the Great Depression later on that year, 
were strong reasons for such a decisive conclusion.
  Robert Royal was placed in the old New York Hospital Founding 
Children's Home, under the administrations of the Catholic Archdioceses 
of New York. As a youngster, he was loved, cared for, and reared by 
nine surrogate mothers. Before this eighth birthday, he was transferred 
to the Riverdale Orphanage for Colored Children. In 1937, he was 
finally adopted by a distant uncle who lived in Stanford, Connecticut.
  Robert returned to Harlem and attended Cooper Junior High School. He 
excelled in his studies and was given the honor to represent his school 
at the New York Daily Mirror International Youth Forum. Among the 500 
attendees, he was selected to be one of the five panelist chairs. He 
went on to complete his High School education at Seward Park High 
School.
  During the Korean War, there was a call to national service. He 
answered the call of conscription and become a warrior in the fight for 
freedom. Young Robert was among the many that had a near fatal 
experience, becoming a disabled Korean War Veteran. His heroic actions 
earned him two Bronze Stars and the President's coveted Distinguished 
Service Medal.
  Battered, wounded, with medals on his chest, and limited choices in 
his life, Royal returned to the Village of Harlem. He sought out to 
write his own ticket for a better future by entering the City College 
of New York. Like so many G.I.'s coming home from the war, he was able 
to take full advantage of the G.I. Bill. Higher learning resulted in an 
undergraduate degree in accounting with a minor in Law of Labor 
Standards.
  Robert's public service career began shortly thereafter at the NYC 
Department of Hospitals as an auditor. Later, he worked for the NYC 
Department of Public Works, the United States Internal Revenue Service, 
and as a publication typesetter for the United Nations.
  Robert's call to the ministry in 1974 led to entering New York 
Theological Seminary, where he received a Masters of Divinity. Reverend 
Royal is presently serving as Executive Director of the New Brighton 
Local Community Development Corporation and Minister of Social Justice 
at Saint Paul Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Dr. V. 
DuWayne Battle.
  Reverend Royal continues to be known for his extraordinary 
commitment, energy, wisdom, discipline, principle, and clear purpose 
which have won the admiration of all who are privileged to come to know 
and work with him. I consider myself fortunate to have the opportunity 
to observe and experience his example as a personal inspiration.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me 
in honoring and congratulating Reverend Robert Royal on his historic 
80th Birthday. His constant dedication, commitment, and spiritual 
guidance is worthy of the highest esteem.

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