Press Releases
Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson Announces Post Office Dedication Ceremony for Father Richard Livingston Marquess-Barry a Celebrated Religious Leader and Community Activist
Miami, FL,
July 30, 2015
Miami, FL – Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) announces the post office dedication ceremony for Father Richard Livingston Marquess-Barry at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, July 31, 2015, at the Norland Post Office, located at 18640 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami Gardens, FL 33169. Father Barry is a celebrated religious leader and community activist who broke down barriers to education, employment equality, fair housing and jobs across the state of Florida. Congresswoman Wilson sponsored a bill to rename the Norland Post Office in honor of Father Barry that was passed by the House and Senate. During his tenure as the pastor of Historic Saint Agnes Episcopal Church, in Miami's Historic Overtown community, Father Barry quietly led the move to transform Overtown by establishing the Saint Agnes Rainbow Village Development Corporation, Incorporated, and building low-and moderate- income housing and senior citizen housing complexes. As a young priest, in Fort Pierce, Florida, Father Barry successfully fought to integrate the public school system, and institute fairness in hiring and promotion within all governmental agencies including the police and fire departments. In 2009, Father Barry was the first recipient of the Florida State Senate Medallion of Excellence awarded in 45 years. In 1995, Father Barry became the first priest outside of The African Orthodox Church to be invested an Honorary Canon. He has earned a multitude of other awards, proclamations and commendations. Farther Barry holds several degrees from distinguished institutions. In 1968, he was only person of color enrolled in Virginia Episcopal Theological Seminary. In 1989, he became the youngest person in the more than 200 year history of the Seminary to be awarded a Doctor of Divinity honorary degree which was normally reserved for Bishops and distinguished theologians of the Church. He also holds the very rare distinction of being twice chosen as a Visiting Fellow at Oxford University in England. Retired as pastor of Saint Agnes Episcopal Church since 2010, Father Barry continues to bridge the divide between races and religions. WHO: Representatives of the United States Postal Service, Father Richard Livingston Marquess- Barry, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, Miami-Dade WHAT: Post Office Dedication Ceremony for Father Richard Livingston Marquess-Barry WHEN: Friday, July 31, 2015, 10:00 a.m. WHERE: Norland Post Office 18640 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami Gardens, FL 33169 ### Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson is a third-term Congresswoman from Florida representing parts of Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward counties. A former state legislator and school principal, she is the founder of the 5000 Role Models for Excellence Project, a mentoring program for young males at risk of dropping out of school. Congresswoman Wilson also founded the Florida Ports Caucus, a bipartisan taskforce that coordinates federal action in support of Florida's harbors and waterways. |