Date: 2012-07-25
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. it saddens me today to rise to pay tribute to the late James Lightfoot. pastor of the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Houston. Texas. who lost his life just a few days ago. I am delighted I had the opportunity to visit Pastor Lightfoot and his church on their 44th anniversary. It was an exciting time. and he looked forward to the celebrating of the 44th year of his pastoral leadership of that church. as he started in 1968. I am gratified to salute this distinguished gentleman and distinguished American. He used faith in a way of service not only to his parishioners and to those whom he lead as a shepherd. but to those outside those bricks and mortar. He concentrated on philosophy and ministry. That was his concentration at Southwestern Seminary. He completed a masters in education at Texas Southern University. He holds a Master of Divinity from Houston Graduate School of Theology. and a Doctorate of Ministries from the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. At Houston Graduate and Austin Presbyterian the emphasis was on the philosophical implications of ministry as it affected the culture of today. He has done advanced training at Texas Southern University and Houston Graduate School of Theology in counseling. He did an internship at Bellaire Columbia General in their Rapha Unit. He served as a lecturer in church administration in the Central Baptist Convention and teaches pastoral ministry. He was a conferee to the Transitional ChurchChurch Conference/ Southern Baptist Convention. And as well. he was honored to serve as third vice president to the Independent General District Sunday School and BTU. He was a gentleman that uses faith to be of service. He deals with the philosophical implications of peace and justice. issues for todays church. How important that is when so many people are hurting. In the backdrop of the tragedy of Aurora. it is imperative that our faith leaders are engaged in our community and pray for their deliverance. I am delighted to say that he also worked with young people. He was a kind spirit. He was a charitable spirit. He was a professor at LeTourneau Universitythats how much he cared for young peoplewhere he taught Bible and Family. He was likewise an adjunct professor. He served on the mayors affirmative action committee. He served as the chairperson of a Black Ministries Committee of the Union Baptist Association. As well. he has served in many civic and community affairs. As I indicated. he always had a summer program for young people who needed a place to come. He always had a smile on his face. He was always joyful. And. of course. he was a wonderful husband to his wonderful and devoted wife. He had the privilege of speaking to over 20.000 persons in January of 1992. where he spoke to the Baptist General Convention of TexasEvangelism Division. to an attendance of over 20.000 persons. And in January of 1992. he was guest preacher for the Mississippi Baptist State Evangelism Conference and delivered the Martin Luther King. Jr. Day sermon at the Austin Presbyterian Seminary. his alma mater. What I would like to say most of all is that. beyond the accolades that he got on the outside. he was an outstanding human being. an outstanding minister. an outstanding civic leader. someone who continued to serve his community even during his time of illness. You never noted a lack of cheerfulness in Reverend Lightfoot. And in the early stages of his illness. I had the opportunity to visit him at home. And again. what a cheerful. believing person who loved America and served America in his capacity. and that was as a faith leader who believed in all persons. reached beyond his doors. helped build a beautiful new sanctuary on that same street. Homestead. did not move. continued to serve the community. and was known as a light to all. My sympathies to Velma Mitchell Lightfoot. his wife. and his beautiful children and his eight grandchildren. and being a greatgrandfather as well. The diversity of his training has led him to be that light. that servant. that special person. I believe it is appropriate to pay tribute to James Lightfoot who remains. even in death. a light to us all because of the great history and the great legacy he has left. May God bless him. God bless his service. and I know that he would want me to say that God bless his most wonderful and most great Nation. the United States of America. Pastor Lightfoot. may you rest in peace.