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Rep. Edolphus Towns

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Reverend Canon Dr. Alonzo Clemons Pruitt in recognition of his steadfast commitment to his community.

Reverend Pruitt served as the Sixth Rector of St. Philip's Church from September 12, 1993 to March 30, 2003. During his ministry, he made significant contributions to his community, church and congregation. For example, he helped raise an additional $20,000 for the Endowment fund; he founded the All Saints Gospel Choir and developed a movie night as a vehicle for a youth ministry in the Parish and in the Brooklyn Archdeaconry. Rev. Pruitt also established blood donation drives and was responsible for the placement of Black icons in the church.

In addition to his congregation at St. Phillip's, Reverend Pruitt served as a Chaplain to the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate, Adjunct Professor at George Mercer School of Theology, Dean of St. Matthew's (Central Brooklyn) Deanery, Chairman of the Diocesan Department of the Budget of the Diocese, Secretary of the Board of Managers of Episcopal Health Services, Chaplain of the Clergy Caucus of Central Brooklyn Churches, Chairman of the Diocesan Commission on Addiction and Recovery, and Vice-President of Recovery Ministries of The Episcopal Church. He was also a Member of Community Board No. 3 in Brooklyn and a member of the Steering Committee of the 81st Precinct Police Clergy Caucus.

While the Rector of St. Phillip's, Canon Pruitt received numerous awards and honors including: The 1994 Community Service Award from Brooklyn Gas; 1995 Community Service Award from Crown Heights Lions Club; 1998 Community Service Award from Bedford-Stuyvesant Headstart; 1999 Community Service Award from the City of New York Police Reserve Association; 2000 Community Service Award from New York Blood Center; 2001 Community Service Award from the 81st Precinct Police Community Relations Council, and 2002 Community Service Award from The New York City Police Department. Most recently, he received the 2002 Chairman's Award for Service from the Central Brooklyn Churches. In addition to this long list of community service honors, in 1996, he was awarded a Doctor of Divinity, honors causa, from St. Paul's College, citing career excellence in community service and parish ministry.

He also raised funds to help rebuild churches throughout the country such as St. Thomas Church in Farmingdale, NY, St. Paul's Cathedral in Oklahoma City, OK, and a church in Princeville, NC.

Mr. Speaker, with his numerous awards and community contributions, Reverend Canon Dr. Alonzo Clemons Pruitt has shown that he is clearly dedicated to his community. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable human being.