[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 13] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 18038] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]A TRIBUTE TO REVEREND DAVID K. BRAWLEY ______ HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS of new york in the house of representatives Thursday, November 18, 2010 Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Rev. David K. Brawley. Reverend David K. Brawley's commitment to the call and demands of ministry is evidenced in his leadership and his availability. At the age of sixteen, Rev. Brawley responded to God's will and was ordained by Rev. Winifred Pippen of First Baptist Church in Deer Park, New York. He became the Youth Minister at First Baptist, where he maintained his membership for thirteen years. In 1994, Rev. Brawley began his full time career in ministry at St. Paul Community Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York, where Rev. Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood has served as Senior Pastor for the past thirty- five years. Rev. Brawley served as Dr. Youngblood's Assistant Pastor beginning in 1995, and in January 2008, was named Pastor Successor of St. Paul Community Baptist Church. During his tenure at St. Paul, Rev. Brawley has served in a large number of roles, including: Coordinator of the Men-in-Training program for the St. Paul Community Board of Elders, pastoral counseling, officiating at sacred events such as weddings, baby dedications, and home going services, community organizing, leading worship services, and as an on-call teacher to the congregation. His organizing efforts play a dynamic role in the church's community development activities where he serves as a member of the Governance Board and Strategy Team of East Brooklyn Congregations, EBC, an organization which has been at the forefront of construction projects that have resulted in over 3000 affordable homes in Brooklyn. Rev. Brawley has been an outspoken advocate for public school reform and has addressed issues such as public safety, housing, and quality of life concerns on behalf of neighborhood residents. Rev. Brawley's community involvement also includes his role as Vice President of E.D.I.F.Y. Communities of East New York. E.D.I.F.Y., which stands for Empower, Develop and Improve Families and Youth, seeks to increase the vitality and value of urban communities by pooling resources and charitable funds. Rev. Brawley's four principles for a strong, productive ministry are: creating a thriving worship experience; actively engaging in community organizing; edifying God's people; and becoming a beacon of economic development for the community the ministry serves. As a pastor, Rev. Brawley possesses the gifts of exhortation, inspiration, motivation, and encouragement, which he shares in worship services and across the nation at men's conferences, revivals, and youth group programming. In 2004, Rev. Brawley earned his Master's degree in Theological Studies from the Faith Seminary of Tacoma, Washington. He is currently pursuing his doctorate in ministry at Faith Seminary. Rev. Brawley resides in Brooklyn, New York with his wife Debra and their two children, Rhonesha and Michael. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the contributions of Rev. David K. Brawley. ____________________