[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 89 (Thursday, May 25, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E497-E498]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING REVEREND NELL FIELDS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2023

  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Reverend 
Nell Fields and her commitment to both the Waquoit Congregational 
Church and the people of Cape Cod.
  The youngest of five daughters, Nell was raised in Kentucky, where 
her father was stationed at Fort Knox as an Army officer. Nell attended 
the University of Kentucky and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in 
journalism in 1981. Nell then went on to receive her Master of Fine 
Arts in English as a graduate fellow at Mills College in Oakland, 
California.
  Nell worked in a variety of positions over the years in the 
publishing, financial services, and technology sectors, but after her 
bus was evacuated in Manhattan on September 11, 2001, Nell felt a 
strong calling to ministry. The CEO of Clickshare at the time, Nell 
started taking courses at the Andover Newton Theological School in 
2002. After four years of attending part time, Nell enrolled in school 
full time and later graduated with her Master of Divinity in 2008.
  During her time at the Andover Newton Theological School, Nell was 
required to serve as a pastoral resident in a hospital. Believing that 
it was important to increase the number of chaplains within the mental 
health field, Nell worked at the Westborough State Psychiatric Hospital 
and served as the chaplain for three years. Nell then worked at Lemuel 
Shattuck Hospital, where she also helped to create an animal therapy 
program. Nell has continued her service in the mental health field at 
the Waquoit Congregational Church by collaborating with the Gosnold 
Center to set up a series of workshops addressing addiction.
  Now the Rector of the Waquoit Congregational Church, Nell first 
joined the congregation in 2010 as the church's first female pastor. 
Throughout Nell's time at Waquoit, she has established herself as a 
pillar of the Falmouth community and has continuously worked to ensure 
that all who come to the

[[Page E498]]

congregation feel welcome, no matter who they are or where they are 
from.
  Nell's commitment to supporting and bettering the lives of those 
around her has not gone unnoticed. On May 25, 2023, Nell is being 
honored by the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce as their 2023 Citizen of 
the Year. Nell is being recognized not only for her contributions as a 
pastor, but also for her work across Falmouth and Cape Cod. Nell has 
served on several boards within the community including the No Place 
for Hate Falmouth Steering Committee, Belonging to Each Other, and the 
Barnstable County Human Rights Commission. Additionally, Nell is the 
Director of Neighborhood Falmouth and the Falmouth Service Center.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud honor Reverend Nell Fields and ask that my 
colleagues join me in thanking her for her dedication to her 
congregation and community.

                          ____________________