Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Thursday, July 12, 2001
Release #245-01

Contact: Sunny Mindel / Sid Dinsay (212) 788-2958


MAYOR GIULIANI SIGNS BILL RENAMING SECTION OF BERGEN STREET IN STATEN ISLAND "REVEREND DR. HYLTON L. JAMES BOULEVARD"

Remarks by Mayor Giuliani at Public Hearing on Local Laws

The next bill before me today is Introductory Number 654, sponsored by Council Members Pinkett, Robinson and Boyland. The legislation would add the name "Reverend Dr. Hylton L. James Boulevard" to Bergen Street, between Ralph and Kingston Avenues, in Brooklyn.

Hylton Lancaster James was born on August 2, 1908 in Richmond, Virginia. Early in life, Hylton felt called to ministry. After doing pastoral work in Virginia and Delaware in the 1930s and '40s, Hylton came to Brooklyn to run the Berean Baptist Church in 1948, a job he would hold for thirty years.

Under Rev. James' leadership, membership in the Berean Baptist Church grew so rapidly that the congregation had to build a new, more spacious church. Rev. James was not only a leader at his home church, but he also held distinguished positions in Baptist organizations in Virginia, Delaware and New York.

Unfortunately, Hylton James passed away on November 8, 1978.

Therefore, in recognition of his many years of service to his church and his community, it is fitting that Bergen Street, between Ralph and Kingston Avenues, be named "Reverend Dr. Hylton L. James Boulevard."

For the reasons previously stated, I will now sign the bill.


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