LI pastor to be congressional guest chaplain

It's been a whirlwind few weeks for Rev. Roderick Pearson of Central Islip. First he got married, now he is bound for Washington, to deliver the invocation to open the House of Representatives' new session Wednesday.

Pearson, 48, who is also the head of the Islip NAACP, was selected for the invocation by Rep. Steve Israel, (D-Huntington).

Israel said he has worked with Pearson on several projects and called him "a voice of reason on a number of issues - from hate crimes to economic development."

"Pastor Pearson is both beloved by the members of his church and well respected throughout Long Island," Israel added. "Washington needs his ability to bring people together now more than ever and he's a natural choice to represent us as the guest chaplain."

The House of Representatives own chaplain usually opens most days of Congressional business with a prayer. But about once a week, a guest chaplain, selected by members of Congress, is invited to deliver the invocation.

Pearson, who resigned recently as chairman of the Suffolk County African American Advisory Board but still remains a member, said he was honored by the guest chaplain appearance. He admitted to being a bit nervous, though, and joked that his jitters might end up adding another 30 seconds to the 150-word, 90-second limit he faces.

"I think it's a very high honor for a clergy" member, he said, adding that he expects to have an "awesome feeling" as he stands at the same podium "in the same place where presidents and prime ministers and other international world leaders have stood."

Pearson, who said he started his activism three decades ago as a student leader at Fordham University, more recently has played a role in combating gang violence in Central Islip, Brentwood and Bay Shore.