August 3, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1435 

district. Today it is my privilege to recognize 

and congratulate the MSC Coyotes Green 

U14 Girls Team, the best U14 girls soccer 

team in America. 

f 

WESLEY GROVE UNITED CHURCH 

OF CHRIST 125TH ANNIVERSARY 

HON. ROBERT C. ‘‘BOBBY’’ SCOTT OF VIRGINIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, August 2, 2012 

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise 

today to congratulate a legacy of faith and 

community in Virginia’s Third Congressional 

District. This year, Wesley Grove United 

Church of Christ in Newport News, Virginia is 

celebrating its 125th anniversary, and I would 

like to take a moment to reflect on the history 

of this esteemed institution and its contributions to the greater Newport News community. 

Originally organized in 1887 by a group including Reverend J.H. Edlow and Deacon G. 

Wesley Raney, the Wesley Grove congregation originally met in a building just 20 by 30 

feet, at the time too large for the small congregation. As a poor congregation, it was difficult for them to pay for this space. Fortunately, the congregation found ways to make 

ends meet, and in 1895, under Reverend 

James M. Parson, a new house of worship 

was completed. 

In 1897, Elder S.A. Howell became pastor 

of the Church. As time went by, the congregation continued to expand, eventually growing 

to over 1,000 and finding itself in need of a 

larger place of worship. Under the leadership 

of Reverend Howell, a new building was constructed on the 700 block of 19th Street in 

Newport News. Dedicated in 1900, this building was used by the congregation under the 

leadership of Reverend T.S. Crayton, Reverend J.B. Jones, Reverend Thomas J. 

Moore, and Reverend Zander P. Jenkins. 

In 1964, under the leadership of Reverend 

Jenkins, having once again outgrown their 

place of worship due to mergers with other 

congregations, the Wesley Grove congregation completed the purchase of a building 

owned by another local church. Reverend Jenkins, feeling called to serve elsewhere, left the 

congregation in 1970. 

Over the next few years, the congregation 

struggled without a pastor at times. Reverend 

Vernon Harris served the congregation for a 

year in 1972 before Reverend Jenkins, having 

fulfilled his calling to other congregations, returned in 1974. Unfortunately, Reverend Jenkins passed away suddenly, leaving Wesley 

Grove again without a pastor. 

With Reverend Jenkins’ passing, Reverend 

G. Wesley Raney, III, the grandson of one of 

Wesley Grove’s founders, proved ready to 

lead the congregation. During his ministry, the 

church flourished. Feeling called to pastor a 

church in another state, Reverend Raney left 

Wesley Grove in 1985, and was succeeded by 

Reverend Isaac L. McDonald. Under his leadership, numerous programs were established 

to help Newport News youth excel in their 

educational pursuits. 

Reverend McDonald was succeeded by 

Reverend Prince Raney Rivers, who was 

called to minister Wesley Grove as both a 

pastor and a teacher until 2005. A descendant 

of one of the founders of the church, Reverend Rivers presided over another period of 

tremendous growth for the church. Under his 

leadership, the Church established new ministries, expanded membership, and created 

lasting community partnerships to address 

issues and challenges facing the community. 

Reverend McDonald was succeeded by 

Reverend Dr. Alexander Jamison, Sr., who 

served the community from 2007 until 2011. 

Wesley Grove remains committed to maintaining its legacy of faith and community action to this day. With a congregation that has 

historically included a large number of professionals in the field of education, Wesley Grove 

established education programs that include 

after school tutoring and Project REACT, a 

technology focused tutoring program to help 

improve students’ performance. It has also 

provided numerous scholarships to college 

bound students, including the G. Wesley 

Raney III Scholarship, the Olivia Smith Scholarship, and the Emma Gupton Scholarship. 

Wesley Grove also has an accomplished and 

talented choir program, featuring a men’s 

choir, a senior’s choir, and a children’s choir. 

These programs, amongst others, continue to 

demonstrate Wesley Grove’s commitment to 

the Newport News community. 

As the Wesley Grove United Church of 

Christ gathers to celebrate this historic milestone, the church can truly remember its past, 

celebrate its present, and focus on its future. 

I would like to congratulate all of the members 

of the Wesley Grove United Church of Christ 

on the occasion of its 125th Anniversary, and 

I wish them many more years of dedicated 

service to the community. 

f 

A TRIBUTE TO TYLER HANSON 

HON. TOM LATHAM OF IOWA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, August 2, 2012 

Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 

recognize and congratulate Tyler Hanson of 

Sergeant Bluff, Iowa for achieving the rank of 

Eagle Scout. 

The Eagle Scout rank is the highest advancement rank in scouting. Only about five 

percent of Boy Scouts earn the Eagle Scout 

Award. The award is a performance-based 

achievement with high standards that have 

been well-maintained over the past century. 

To earn the Eagle Scout rank, a Boy Scout 

is obligated to pass specific tests that are organized by requirements and merit badges, as 

well as completing an Eagle Project to benefit 

the community. For his project, Tyler planned, 

organized, and painted badly faded curbs, 

light poles and parking lines at his local 

church. His project also included adding handicap accessible parking spaces in accordance 

with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The 

work ethic Tyler has shown in his Eagle 

Project, and every other project leading up to 

his Eagle Scout rank, speaks volumes of his 

commitment to serving a cause greater than 

himself and assisting his community. 

Mr. Speaker, the example set by this young 

man and his supportive family demonstrates 

the rewards of hard work, dedication and perseverance. I am honored to represent Tyler 

and his family in the United States Congress. 

I know that all of my colleagues in the House 

will join me in congratulating him in obtaining 

the Eagle Scout ranking, and will wish him 

continued success in his future education and 

career. 

f 

PERSONAL EXPLANATION 

HON. BEN RAY LUJA ́ N OF NEW MEXICO

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, August 2, 2012 

Mr. LUJA ́ N. Mr. Speaker, due to an operational issue with the voting machine on the 

House floor, my vote did not register on the 

passage of H.R. 3803 (Rollcall vote No. 539). 

Had this issue not arisen, I would have voted 

‘‘no’’ on this vote. 

f 

HONORING MR. JASON ROBERTS 

HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON OF TEXAS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, August 2, 2012 

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. 

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Jason 

Roberts, a White House ‘‘Champion of 

Change’’ from Oak Cliff, Texas. This week, the 

White House honored Mr. Roberts and other 

leaders from across the U.S. for their groundbreaking initiatives to enhance their communities. 

Mr. Roberts’ leadership has been exemplary 

in his initiatives to improve local areas, and revitalize communities in South Dallas. As 

founder of the Oak Cliff Transit Authority, a 

nonprofit organization dedicated to reclaiming 

Oak Cliff’s past distinction, Mr. Roberts 

worked to revive and modernize the Dallas 

streetcar system. Through hard work and ingenuity, Mr. Roberts led the city’s effort to obtain a $23 million TIGER grant from the Federal Transit Administration for their revitalization efforts. 

Mr. Roberts’ ‘‘Better Blocks’’ project reclaims blighted areas, converting vacant properties into temporary walk-friendly districts, 

complete with pop-up businesses, bike lanes, 

cafe ́ seating, and landscaping. Mr. Roberts’ efforts have been so successful in South Dallas 

that over 20 U.S. cities have taken steps to 

enhance neighborhoods in the same fashion 

based on his work. Mr. Roberts’ ‘‘Better 

Blocks’’ project has even gained international 

recognition, and has since been featured in 

the New York Times, TED Talks, and on NPR. 

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to honor the 

hard work and vision that Mr. Jason Roberts 

continues to bring to South Dallas. His hard 

work and vision have allowed him to not only 

envision a better Dallas, but to also act on that 

vision. I look forward to seeing what future advances that Mr. Roberts will spearhead next, 

and I stand ready to support these efforts at 

every turn. 


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