Barbara Boxer: “I am so pleased and proud to welcome Rev. Madison Shockley to the Senate today where he has just delivered the opening…”

“I am so pleased and proud to welcome Rev. Madison Shockley to the Senate today where he has just delivered the opening prayer. Reverend Shockley is pastor of the Congregational Church of Christian Fellowship, United Church of Christ in Los Angeles, CA. Mr. President, I had the great pleasure of attending services at his church a few weeks ago. On that particular day, we were reeling from a number of things both at home and abroad. His words were so fitting and healing. I was honored to be sitting in his congregation. Reverend Shockley has been a civil rights and human rights leader in Los Angeles for more than a decade. His accomplishments, his leadership and his compassion make him one of California's most respected members of the clergy. Following the 1992 civil unrest in Los Angeles, Reverend Shockley helped establish a 3-year program of 'community conversation,' bringing together people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as leaders from across this country, to talk about the causes of unrest and tension and to bring peace and love to a community that was torn by hate and fear. Most recently, Pastor Shockley has authored a series of critically acclaimed articles in the Los Angeles Times covering a broad range of important social topics. I congratulate and I thank Reverend Shockley for coming all the way from California on a redeye flight, no less, which is not easy to do, and to share his prayers with us today.”