In August, Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA) established the Peter J. Gomes Service Award, to be given annually to the individual in the Sixth District who best epitomizes the qualities of integrity, compassion, and commitment to community that were the foundation of the late Reverend Professor Peter J. Gomes’ teachings.
“Reverend Gomes was my mentor and my friend,” said Moulton. “He once wrote, “The very definition of service is to love our neighbors as ourselves, work for peace and not for war, and remember that the only hands on earth to do the work of service are our own.” His example influenced my own journey to serve in the Marines, and later as a Member of Congress. I am honored to establish this award here in the Sixth District to honor his legacy and commitment to public service.”
The Reverend Professor Peter J. Gomes was a Christian minister who served for nearly forty years in The Memorial Church of Harvard University, a space erected to honor the Harvard public servants who died in World War I. As a preacher, teacher, author, and leader, he influenced many with his ready wit and wisdom and, perhaps above all, with his commitment to service, whether to his immediate community, in support of those in the armed forces, or to universal humanitarian causes.
Moulton’s office received more than 30 nominations, and a panel of judges narrowed it down to six outstanding finalists:
Lou Cimaglia (Wilmington)
Andrew Defranza (Beverly)
Kristi Hale (North Andover)
Kit Jenkins (Lynn)
Rev. Art McDonald (Essex, Lynn)
Maggie and Joe Rosa (Gloucester)
These finalists will be honored along with the award winner during a ceremony and Day of Service and Remembrance on Sunday, September 11, 2016, the 15th anniversary of September 11th.
The ceremony will take place at 9:00 a.m. in the Lynn English High School Auditorium. Following the award ceremony, Moulton will host of Day of Service and Remembrance in honor of the 15th Anniversary of September 11th. The Day of Service is being put on in coordination with local nonprofits and local AmeriCorps and City Year members, and all are welcome to join us to share in this day.
Volunteers will serve at Raw Artworks, The Food Project, The Backpack Program, and Tech Skills USA with a variety of tasks from assembling care packages for first responders at Tech Skills USA, to building and maintaining gardens at The Food Project.
For all other event details, please visit our Upcoming Events page here, or feel free to call our office in Washington, D.C. at (202) 225-8020 or Salem at (978) 531-1669.
You can RSVP to let us know you’re coming here.
