May 3, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 933

The church’s first pastor was the Reverend

S.C. Pierce, who conducted services atop an

animal stable in old downtown Los Angeles. In

1887, under the spiritual leadership of the

Reverend C.H. Anderson, the church purchased the land and erected its first sanctuary

on Maple Avenue. The Reverend Anderson

pastored Second Baptist Church for two decades. He was followed in 1908 by the Reverend J.L. McCoy, who served until 1915. The

Reverend H.D. Prowd succeeded Pastor

McCoy; he served from 1915 to 1920.

In 1921, the Reverend Thomas L. Griffith

answered the call to pastor Second Baptist

Church’s burgeoning congregation. Four years

later in 1925, the church erected and moved

to its present edifice at 2412 Griffith Avenue.

Designed in the Lombard Romanesque style

by famed Los Angeles architects Paul R. Williams and Norman Marsh, the church has

been designated as a historical landmark by

the city of Los Angeles.

The Reverend Griffith was succeeded in

1941 by the Reverend J. Raymond Henderson. During his 20 years of ministry, the

church liquidated its mortgage of $83,000, underwent a complete renovation, constructed a

parsonage and a Christian education building,

and purchased an apartment building, a parking lot, and a community center.

In 1963, the Reverend Thomas Kilgore, Jr.

became pastor of Second Baptist Church. It

was under his leadership that the church solidified its base as an influential and important

force in the future of Los Angeles’ AfricanAmerican community. During his leadership,

the church succeeded in helping to reorder the

priorities of community leaders to include the

less fortunate and traditionally underserved

members of Los Angeles society. He raised

the community’s social consciousness and established Second Baptist Church as a force

not to be dismissed in formulating plans for

the future of our neighborhoods and communities. Dr. Kilgore established programs to

meet the needs of citizens that were otherwise

not being addressed. He oversaw the construction of Griffith Gardens, a 38-unit apartment building, and established a child development center at the church. In addition, the

church’s social hall underwent a complete renovation and two parking lots were purchased.

Today, the Reverend Kilgore serves as pastor

emeritus of Second Baptist Church.

In October 1987 the Reverend William S.

Epps answered the call to pastor Second Baptist Church. Today, the church operates a

Christian education program, a community social service program, the Pueblo Christian Action Center, and the Second Baptist Child Development Center.

In addition, under the Reverend Epps’ able

leadership and ministry, the church regularly

convenes seminars and forums as it continues

to address the problems endemic to our communities today. Second Baptist Church extends its ministry far beyond the pulpit of its

majestic stained-glass-surrounded sanctuary.

It is an increasingly important force in our

community as it provides spiritual nourishment

to its flock, and also seeks to provide spiritual

and economic renewal for the disenfranchised

members of the community. It provides hope

where there is often no hope and it inspires

the spirits of men, women, and children by

helping them to realize a better tomorrow.

Few would argue about the increasingly important correlation that exists between the

church and a healthy and prosperous community. For over a century, Second Baptist

Church has contributed to that prosperity by

offering a ministry that nurtures the soul and

empowers the mind. By providing economic

and spiritual empowerment to the community,

it continues to shine as a beacon of hope for

the future. We are proud to recognize and

commend this historic edifice and to congratulate the Reverend Epps, the Reverend Thomas Kilgore, Jr., and the members of Second

Baptist Church for their ministry and leadership to the Los Angeles community. Please

join us in extending our profound best wishes

for continued success in the future.

BERNARDINO COUNTY SUN

A TRIBUTE TO THE SAN

f

HON. JERRY LEWIS

OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, May 3, 1995

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I

would like to bring to your attention the fine

work and outstanding public service of the

San Bernardino County Sun newspaper in

San Bernardino, CA. The Sun, under the leadership of executive editor Arnie Garson, was

recently recognized as one of the top newspapers in the United States for 1994 in the annual Best of Gannett competition.

The San Bernardino County Sun was one of

six finalists for the Gannett’s Outstanding

Achievement Award recognizing the best overall news performance by a newspaper in 1994

and is the recipient of the coveted Gold Medal

Award for 1994. Altogether, the Sun received

seven individual awards, the highest for any

newspaper with a circulation of over 40,000.

In addition, Arnie Garson was 1 of 10 editors nationwide awarded the President’s Ring

and has thus become one of the finalists in

the 1994 Editor of the Year competition. The

top three contenders will be announced at the

Gannett’s editors’ meeting in May and the winner will be announced in June.

Specifically, the Sun won top awards in

seven separate categories. Mickie Enkoji was

a top winner taking home first place honors in

the Outstanding Achievement in Writing and

Feature Writing categories. Rebecca Fairley

Raney relieved the top prize for investigative

reporting, while Paul Oberjuerge was recognized for his prize-winning sports column. In

addition, the Sun received top honors for public service, headlines, and packaging and

presentation.

Few who make their home in San

Bernardino County are surprised by the Sun’s

success. As my hometown newspaper over

the course of my life, I have watched the Sun

professionally adapt to the many changes that

have taken place in our county over the years.

While we may differ on specific issues from

time to time, I have nothing but the utmost

level of respect for the high standards and

professionalism of this newspaper.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, my colleagues, and the people of San Bernardino

County in recognizing Arnie Garson and the

entire staff of the Sun for its success. It is only

fitting that the House recognize the San

Bernardino Sun, one of the truly outstanding

newspapers in the United States today.

TRIBUTE TO THE FEDERAL

WORKERS IN OKLAHOMA CITY

HON. CARDISS COLLINS OF ILLINOIS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, May 3, 1995

Mrs. COLLINS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise

to pay tribute to the Federal workers who are

among the bombing victims in Oklahoma City.

Their great sacrifice deserves our respect.

Their public service deserves our gratitude.

Their memory deserves our reflection.

We have just begun the annual commemoration of Public Service Recognition Week, an

occasion where Federal agencies and employee organizations recognize the contributions made by public servants at all levels of

Government. The Oklahoma bombing victims

are truly the most deserving of recognition this

year. Those who were killed or injured while

working for America, shall forever remain

among our Nation’s most honored.

The loss of these workers reminds us that

Federal service does have its risks, as well as

its rewards. The blast hit the Alfred P. Murrah

Federal Building just as the employees inside

began another workday. Now many of them

are gone, but they have left behind a legacy

of service to the public that is warmly remembered by the people of Oklahoma City.

Since the bombing, the Nation has witnessed the fine work of other Federal employees working tirelessly in Oklahoma City. During each day that has passed, we have seen

Federal law enforcement officers effectively

pursuing suspects and witnesses, the Federal

Emergency Management Agency responding

to the needs of Oklahoma citizens affected by

the tragedy, and the General Services Administration’s Emergency Operations Center coordinating the restoration of Federal agency

operations in the area. This is Government

service at its best.

This terrible event has caused many Americans to learn more about Federal workers—

who they are, where they live, and what they

do. Let’s remember with pride those who

served and are still serving today in Oklahoma

City. Let’s also recognize that there are many

more like them serving Americans across this

land.

TRIBUTE TO JERROD E. HAWK

fHON. PAUL E. GILLMOR OF OHIO

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, May 3, 1995

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I would like to

take this opportunity to recognize an exceptional young man from my district who has recently accepted his appointment as a member

of the class of 1999 at the U.S. Military Academy.

Jerrod E. Hawk will soon graduate Paulding

High School after 4 years of outstanding academic achievement as well as extracurricular

involvement. While in high school Jerrod has

distinguished himself as a leader among his

peers. He is an outstanding student and patriot.

Mr. Speaker, one of the most important responsibilities of Members of Congress is to

identify outstanding young men and women