[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9837]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  A TRIBUTE TO PASTOR GRAYLING FERRAND

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 22, 2011

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pastor Grayling 
Ferrand.
  Pastor Ferrand serves on Friends of Recovery, a statewide grass root 
advocacy board because of his passion and firsthand knowledge of those 
impacted or affected by the disease of addiction. He is committed 
towards reducing the adverse effects of alcoholism and drug addiction 
via advocating for better prevention, treatment and recovery services 
in the New York State area and abroad.
  He was born in Harlem, New York and is the eldest son of eight 
siblings. He joined in matrimony with Talisa S. Ferrand and together 
they have one daughter and five grandchildren.
  Pastor Ferrand earned a Masters Degree and received an Honorary 
Doctorate Degree from the Bible Faith School on May 18, 2008. He worked 
at Reality House Inc, obtained his CASAC, and became part of the NYS 
OASAS faculty helping individuals facing drug and alcohol addiction. He 
also worked as a Program Director in other treatment programs. In 2010 
he received a Human Services Board Certified Practitioner 
certification. He is the author of three books entitled: ``We Fall Down 
But We Get Up'' (the Prodigal Son), Life After Death (The Do's & Don't) 
and Nos Caemos Pero Nos Levantamos (El Hijo Prodigo).
  Pastor Ferrand's Christian journey was influenced by many of the 
socio-cultural and political dynamics impacting society during the time 
of the Civil Rights Movements and Black Panthers. He was also raised in 
the Baptist faith.
  In 1999 Pastor Ferrand began attending the Temple of Blessings 
C.O.G.I.C. under the leadership of Pastor David Grayson Jr. where he 
became an armor bearer and then a Deacon.
  In September 2000, Pastor Ferrand was ordained by Overseer Frieda 
Harrison of the Jehovah Jireh Ministries. He and his wife then 
organized the ``Reaching Across the World Ministries, Inc. (RAWM)'', 
with the mission of providing human services that are geared toward 
reducing social ills impacting humanity.
  Pastor Ferrand expanded services at RAWM's to include a 350 Hour 
Educational Training Program, licensed by the NYS Office of Alcoholism 
& Substance Abuse Services, the North Carolina Substance Abuse 
Professional Practice Board and the National Association of Alcoholism 
and Drug Abuse Counselors. He continues to provide annual summer youth 
employment, counseling, self help groups, job interviewing skills, 
college internships for undergraduates and graduates as well as a host 
of other human services. As a result of his servitude, he has received 
numerous proclamations and other accolades.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Pastor Grayling Ferrand for 
his extraordinary accomplishments and his spirit which reflect the best 
our nation has to offer.

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