CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions of Remarks E1216 HON
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E1216 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 6, 2007 arms and equipments sales to Sudan, and Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Unity (OAD) on the 25th May 1963. It was an suspend economic ties to Sudan until the Reverend Dr. Keaton’s tremendous contribu- organization formed with the express pur- Government of Sudan stops attacking civil- tion to his congregants and the community. pose of uniting all of Africa but from the ians, complies with UN Security Council reso- Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to onset those leaders who signed this historic document in Ethiopia, were divided by lutions, and enters into peace negotiations join me in paying tribute to this wonderful man insularity and a profound lack of vision. with rebel groups. and his tireless contribution which is a testa- That is all of them except one. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join ment to the American spirit. Today his vision has been realized and me in supporting H. Res. 422, a resolution f modified, perhaps for better or worse—no one calling on the government of the People’s Re- knows—in the development of the African public of China to use its unique influence and IN HONOR OF DR. KWAME Union (AD) that came into being in 2001. economic leverage to stop genocide and vio- NKRUMAH AND THE 50TH ANNI- This new organization replaced the OAU that lence in Darfur, Sudan. VERSARY OF GHANA many felt had did its time and served its pur- pose but was unrealistic and lacked any new f HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL mechanism for dealing with the vagaries of A TRIBUTE TO REVEREND DR. modern, emerging Africa and the rest of the OF NEW YORK CLARENCE KEATON world. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES But his vision and steadfast belief in Afri- Wednesday, June 6, 2007 can Glory has made him a legend in his life- HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS time and clearly one of the great sons of Af- OF NEW YORK Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today rica. Today, he stands tall for his contribu- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to acknowledge the life and contributions of tion to African political consciousness and Wednesday, June 6, 2007 the late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and to acknowl- African unity. He was a man whose ideas edge the 50th anniversary of the independ- were far advanced for the era in which he Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today ence of Ghana, which is being recognized and served. In 2007 Africa needs to revisit his life to honor Brooklyn resident Reverend Dr. Clar- and times. His name was Kwame Nkrumah. celebrated this year. Kwame Nkrumah is the ence Keaton. Reverend Dr. Keaton was born As Ghana’s leader he had developed a reputa- father of his nation, Ghana, and its anniver- to parents Clarence Keaton Sr. and Mary F. tion of total commitment to the improve- sary of independence is an appropriate time Keaton. Dr. Keaton is the forth of seven chil- ment of not only the people of Ghana, but all for us to recognition his contribution. I intro- dren. of Africa. In a very real way the building Reverend Dr. Keaton, affectionately known duce into the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD an arti- blocks for today’s modem Africa is the sac- cle from CaribNews by Michael D. Roberts. rifice and vision of leaders like Nkrumah. as Pastor of Pastors (POP) by his Observe that on the eve of the signing of the congregants and ‘‘Pastor Teacher’’ by his Dr. Nkrumah was born on September 21, 1909 in Ghana, the same country he led to lib- document that would formally ratify the peers, has marked himself as a leader of OAU this was the warning that Nkrumah eration from Great Britain and was elected as change both in the clergy and throughout his gave to African leaders about the powerful community. The Reverend Dr. Kenton’s path Prime Minister in 1960. He attended college in forces lined up against the continent: to the church was nearly derailed when during the United States, studied philosophy, and de- ‘‘Our essential bulwark against the sinister his youth, he became a gang leader. It was veloped an interest in the ideas of Marcus threats and other multifarious designs of the neocolonialists is in our political union. If during that time Reverend Dr. Keaton received Garvey. Realizing the need for self govern- ment, he served as General Secretary of the we are to remain free, if we are to enjoy the his divine calling going from leading gangs in full benefits of Africa’s rich resources, we the street to leading gangs to the church. United Coast Gold Convention, a political party interested in Ghana’s independence. In- must unite to plan for total defense and the Reverend Dr. Keaton joined the ministry of full exploitation of our material and human Free Mission Apostolic Church under the tute- volvement in this movement was unconven- means, in the full interests of all our peo- lage of Pester Walter L. Dunlap. It was here tional and by all means unpopular. Despite, ples. To go it alone will limit our horizons, Reverend Dr. Keaton taught for nearly a dec- the lack of popularity, Dr. Nkrumah, had a vi- curtail our expectations, and threaten our ade as a biblical instructor. In 1983, Reverend sion not only for Ghana, but for all African liberty . Unless we meet the obvious and Dr. Keaton was ordained and blessed to es- countries. His leadership inspired 23 other Af- very powerful neocolonialists’ threats with a rican nations to gain independence in just 3 unified African front, based upon a common tablish the True Worship Church, and in 1985. economic and defense policy, the strategy Reverend Dr. Keaton’s ministry grew at such years after his election. In addition to inspiring African countries to will be to pick us off and destroy us one by a rapid pace that by September 21, 2001 he one.’’ managed to build a new Cathedral on the gain independence, Dr. Nkrumah envisioned Nkrumah’s prophetic and visionary words property. unity. His vision to unite African countries was were based on his profound study of how Eu- Reverend Dr. Keaton brings his divine wis- embodied with his influence in founding the rope colonized Africa and his experiences dom to the community in a way which fosters Organization of African unity, established on abroad. His study of Garveyism, the ideology growth and brotherhood. He is a leader who May 25, 1963. The organization focused on of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, lent his thoughts recognizes the plight of troubled youth and of- ways to unify African nations and to speak and actions a sense of African pride and inde- pendence. But more than that Nkrumah fers mentoring, guidance, and an outlet in with one continental voice. The organization changed over the years and was replaced with demonstrated selfless leadership and com- prayer. His ministry truly meets the need of pletely dedicated himself to the emanci- the people offering Computer Literacy classes, the African Union in 2001. pation of his people. On March 6, 2007, Ghana celebrated the Deaf Ministry, Day Care Services, a Church f news letter entitled, ‘‘The Voice of worship’’, 50th anniversary of its independence. Celebra- and a Web site which keeps both the mem- tions were held all over the country and at- HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF bers and the community abroad informed of tended by world leaders. I pay honor and STEPHEN TOWNLEY upcoming events and services. homage to Kwame Nkrumah for dedicating his Reverend Dr. Keaton has been recognized life to Ghana democracy and working towards HON. JEFF MILLER unifying African nations. His legacy and work for his great contributions to the community, in OF FLORIDA still lives on with the celebration of Ghana’s an honorary doctorate of Divinity degree from IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Jesus Saves Bible Institute; citations for out- independence 50 years ago. standing community service from former [From CaribNews] Wednesday, June 6, 2007 Councilwoman Pricilla Woolen, former Brook- KWAME NKRUMAH: THE MAN AND HIS TIMES— Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I lyn borough president Howard Golden and GHANAIAN POLITICAL VISIONARY, PAN- rise today to honor one of Florida’s finest, Mr. current Borough president Marty Markowitz. AFRICANIST AND ADVOCATE OF AFRICAN Stephen Townley, upon his retirement from Among his greatest honors are his wife Eartha UNITY the public service system. May 9, 2007 Keaton, his four loving children; Tersha, (By Michael D. Roberts) marked Townley’s 30th year of duty under the Shawn, Tiffany, and Clearance III and amaz- The African Antecedent: Setting the Stage United States Judicial Branch. ing grandson, Kamari. for Africa’s Independence After graduation from the University of Reverend Dr. Clarence Keaton continues to ‘‘Our independence is meaningless unless it South Carolina in 1973, Townley began his is linked up with the total liberation of the serve as pastor and overseer of True Worship African continent.’’ Kwame Nkrumah, Accra career as a probation officer in Milton, Florida. Church as the Presiding Bishop and founder 1957. Advancing rapidly, Townley was appointed a of the True Worship Church Worldwide Min- Those words were uttered 6 years before United States Probation Officer in 1977 then istries. the formation of the Organization of African was promoted 8 years later to United States VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:01 Jun 07, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A06JN8.020 E06JNPT1 ccoleman on PRODPC75 with REMARKS June 6, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1217 Probation Officer in the Northern District of Captain Boynton will retire to Connecticut Tawes.