62nd Chaplain Barry C. Black of the U.S. Senate

2/07/2017

Chaplain Barry C. Black of the United States Senate

c/o Office of the U.S. Senate Chaplain

S-332, The Capitol

Washington, D.C.  20510

Dear Chaplain Black,

My name is Matt Winick from Ann Arbor, Michigan and I have a strong interest in learning history. In history, I like to learn the need for Civil Rights to be stronger to reduce discrimination and many others. Chaplain Black, I’m writing you a letter is to explain how I find your work as 62^nd Chaplain of the United States Senate and as an activist to be very inspiring to me.

When you served as a chaplain in the United States Navy for 27 years, I was very proud on how you would give prayers to our troops who serve our country to help them have faith when times are hard or when they struggle from a lost one.  In 2003, I was amazed on how you made history by becoming the first African American to become the 62^nd Chaplain of the United States Senate after being elected to serve.  In your role as the 62^nd Chaplain of the United States Senate, I liked on how you give prayers in Senate sessions to help give hope to constituents along with public officials when there are political obstacles or when people use their political views where it gets extreme.  During the government shutdown in 2013, I was amazed on how you had the courage to speak up and using quotes like “strengthen our weakness, replacing cynicism with faith and cowardice with courage” and  “ Save Us from the madness, and We acknowledge our transgressions, out shortcomings, our smugness, our selfishness, and pride…. Deliver us from the hypocrisy of attempting to sound reasonable while being unreasonable.”  Also when there was news of the delay of death benefits for military families, I liked on how you express your prayers for those families and worked really hard to convince U.S. Senators to support benefits for military families.  Another thing that I really appreciate your work as an activist and as 62^nd Chaplain of the U.S. Senate and as an activist is how you are a strong supporter of Civil Rights along with protect minorities’ rights, be an advocate for people with disabilities’ rights, express the need to help give guidance to youth, support the need for equal opportunity, and emphasize the need for religion to used for good things like accept people who are different or have a disability including care about the poor along with the need to help improve health. These fundamental principles that you value and support is common sense for our country.

Chaplain Black, I have Autism with a learning disability. Having a disability is hard for me because I have trouble comprehending on learning different subjects, sometimes I struggle to communicate my thoughts, and get teased. Your commitment to be a strong supporter of Civil Rights and advocate for people with disabilities’ rights really inspires me to work hard on my disability.  Also as a Christian with a disability, I struggle because many Christians judged me or use prejudice on me based on a disability.  However, your role as 62^nd Chaplain of the United States Senate and your role as a speaker at churches preaching about how religion should be used for good things like accept people who are different (minorities, women, and people with disabilities), the need to help the poor, and many others gives me motivation to continue to be proud to be a Christian when I face different struggles.  Another thing is your role as Chaplain of the United States Senate drives me to continue my strong interest in learning history and to have faith when government has it’s own struggles. My future goal is to someday continue my interest in learning more history, visit some historical sites or museums, and many others to help expand my learning at an even pace.  My letter is a gift to you for inspiring me and for Black History Month to help recognize many African American individuals who work hard to make society a better place.

I strongly believe that you are making a great difference for society, government, and religion. I’m very proud on how you use prayer to help give people from different backgrounds hope when they face different struggles, express the need for religion to be used for good things, support Civil Rights, and advocate for people with disabilities’ rights.  you have inspired me to work hard on my disability, continue my faith as a Christian when I face different struggles, and be motivated to learn history. Also I was wondering if you could please share with me what it is like being Chaplain of the United States Senate.  Thanks for taking the time to read my letter, inspiring me, and making a great impact on society.  I pray for you and your family to do well and to continue using faith with activism to make society a better place. 

Sincerely,

Matt Winick