[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15334]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO ERNEST A. SAMPSON III

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2012

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ernest A. 
Sampson III, a man dedicated to serving God, his family, and the 
community. Ernest Sampson is the youngest of three children born to 
Ernest Jr. and Fay Sampson. As a young child, Mr. Sampson would often 
spend time with his maternal grandparents, James and Winona Willie of 
Brooklyn, NY. While there he learned to emulate the caring nature of 
his grandmother and the respect his grandfather earned from the 
surrounding community as the head of James H. Willie Funeral Home, Inc. 
As a result, an honest interest in service for young Mr. Sampson was 
born.
  Receiving his early education in the New York Public School system, 
Mr. Sampson graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in 1982 and went 
on to obtain his Bachelor's of Science degree in Funeral Service 
Administration from St. John's University in 1986. In 1986, after 
taking several exams and serving in a one year apprenticeship with the 
James H. Willie Funeral Home, Mr. Sampson achieved his lifelong goal of 
becoming a licensed funeral director. Many of life's challenges would 
come the young man's way, yet he pursued his dreams and aspirations and 
established Sampson Funeral Service in 1993. Since that time, Mr. 
Sampson has expanded his ministry of comfort throughout the Brooklyn, 
Bronx, and Queens communities. Mr. Simpson has conducted numerous 
educational seminars on the topics of funerals, consolation, and city, 
state, and federal burial assistance programs. These seminars have been 
piloted on Career Days at schools, community events, and at youth 
organizations.
  Mr. Sampson currently serves on the ministerial and teaching staffs 
of the First Baptist Full Gospel Church of Brownsville, NY. He has 
received awards from Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz as well 
as the New York Men of Distinction award, and also served as a sponsor 
for Operation Get Ahead in 2003, Annual Youth Explosion in 2003, and 
the Coney Island Youth Alive sponsor in 2012.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Mr. Sampson for his 
extraordinary accomplishments as a funeral director in New York City. 
Appreciation, comfort, and professionalism are paramount in his life 
and serve as guiding posts for the families and communities he serves.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Mr. 
Sampson.

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