E1610 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 28, 2017 both in the classroom and on the athletic field. African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas Our world has changed a great deal during Kenny graduated Woodlands High School with (AECST), of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. the course of Irene’s life. Since her birth, we honors in 1981 and after graduation, he ac- This year AECST celebrates 225 years of have revolutionized air travel and walked on cepted a baseball scholarship to attend Tulane dedicated ministry and service to the commu- the moon. We have invented the television, University in New Orleans, LA. nity of Philadelphia. AECST has provided 225 cellular phones and the internet. We have In 1985, Kenny completed his degree from years of ‘‘Legacy, Faith, and Hope’’. AECST fought in wars overseas, seen the rise and fall Tulane and signed a Letter of Intent with the was founded in 1792, by Reverend Absalom of Soviet communism and witnessed the birth Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball. He Jones and stands as the first Black Episcopal of new democracies. Irene has lived through also completed two years of AA Baseball in Church in the U.S.A. It is also recognized as eighteen United States Presidents and twenty- Birmingham, Alabama and one year in Yasu, one of two oldest black churches in Philadel- five Governors of Iowa. In her lifetime, the Japan. phia, Pennsylvania. population of the United States has more than In 1989, Kenny became a Master Mason Historically, AECST was founded to provide tripled. and member of The Bright Hope Lodge No. 62 religious support, foster personal and religious Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to represent in White Plains, New York. Kenny elevated to freedoms, and self-determination for persons Irene in the United States Congress and it is Worshipful Master in 2003 and has held a of African descent. The original African Church my pleasure to wish her a very happy 100th number of appointed Grand Lodge offices for was an outgrowth of the Free African Society, birthday. I ask that my colleagues in the MWPHGL of New York, including Grand Li- a mutual aid organization established in 1787 United States House of Representatives join brarian (2004 to 2009) and DDGM (2010 to by Absalom Jones, Richard Allen and others me in congratulating Irene on reaching this in- Present). He is also affiliated with Bright Hope to assist the Black population in Philadelphia. credible milestone, and in wishing her even Chapter No. 46, Pentecost Consistory No. 98 The early religious services were held in pri- more health and happiness in the years to and A.E.A.O.N.M.S. Elejmal Temple No. 185. vate homes and in a school. Within the con- come. Professionally, Kenny was employed by IBM gregation were many who, because of growing for 28 years, where he moved up the cor- racial tension and insults had followed the lay f porate ladder, and today serves as Corporate preachers, Absalom Jones and Richard Allen, Security Supervisor for Century Protective broke away from the St. George’s Methodist PERSONAL EXPLANATION Services. He is also a member of Trinity Church. Affiliation with the Episcopal Church United Methodist Church in White Plains, NY, was ratified in 1794. The Reverend Absalom where he is involved in several activities spon- HON. TERRI A. SEWELL Jones became the first Episcopal priest of Afri- sored by the church. In addition, Kenny was OF ALABAMA can American descent and the first rector of involved in many community activities such as: IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES St. Thomas’ Church. Feeding the Less Fortunate, Widows Mother’s AECST has been in the vanguard of action Tuesday, November 28, 2017 Day Breakfast, Thanksgiving Food Basket to sustain the legacy of humanitarianism and Giveaway, and coaching youth baseball. Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, dur- Kenny has always been willing to lend a community outreach passed down from its ing Roll Call votes held on November 28, helping hand, which is why he is receiving this founders. Admirably, AECST’s clergy and pa- 2017, I was inescapably detained handling im- great honor. I want to congratulate and thank rishioners have played key roles in the aboli- portant matters related to my District and the him for all he has done to better our commu- tion, anti-slavery and Underground Railroad State of Alabama. Had I been present, I would nity. movements and the early equal rights move- have voted YES on H.R. 2768, and NO on ment of the 1800’s. Over the past fifty years, f H.R. 3115. AECST has figured prominently in the civil TRIBUTE TO TERRY AND CONNIE rights movement, The NAACP, Union of Black f BUTTLER Episcopalians, Opportunities Industrialization Center, Philadelphia Interfaith Action and The TRIBUTE TO THE 2017 NODAWAY HON. DAVID YOUNG Episcopal Church Women. Paramount, how- VALLEY BOYS CROSS COUNTRY OF IOWA ever, has been the movement to uphold the TEAM IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES knowledge and value of the Black presence in Tuesday, November 28, 2017 the Episcopal Church. Today, that tradition HON. DAVID YOUNG continues with an ever-growing membership OF IOWA Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise and through a host of ministries such as today to recognize and congratulate Terry and Christian Formation, the Chancel Choir, Gos- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Connie Buttler of Guthrie Center, Iowa, on the pel Choir, Jazz Ensemble, Men’s Fellowship, Tuesday, November 28, 2017 very special occasion of their 50th wedding Young Adult and Youth Ministries, a Church anniversary. They celebrated their anniversary Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise School, Health Ministry, Caring Ministry, and a today to recognize and congratulate the on September 30th. Shepherding Program. Terry and Connie’s lifelong commitment to Nodaway Valley High School Boys Cross Today, AECST flourishes as an open, each other and their family truly embodies our Country team for winning the Iowa Class 1A Christ-centered community of faith where the Iowa values. As they reflect on their 50th anni- State Cross Country Championship for the Gospel is taught, lived and spread. As evi- versary, may their commitment grow even third consecutive year. In addition to the denced through AECST’s history, they have a stronger, as they continue to love, cherish, championship, the team set a program record longstanding dedication toward advocating and honor one another for many years to with an average time of 16:56 for their seven and improving the lives of others. come. varsity runners. The 2nd Congressional District of Pennsyl- Mr. Speaker, I commend this great couple I would like to congratulate each member of vania extends gratitude to the African Epis- on their 50th year together and I wish them the team: copal Church of St. Thomas for its dedicated many more. I ask that my colleagues in the support to the Commonwealth of Pennsyl- Runners: Brycen Wallace, Skyler Rawlings, United States House of Representatives join vania. Austin Lundy, Joel Blazek, Joshua Baudler, me in congratulating them on this momentous Tyler Breheny and Ben Breheny f occasion and in wishing them both nothing but Head Coach: Darrell Burmeister continued success. TRIBUTE TO IRENE STIMSON Assistant Coaches: David Swanson, Phyllis f Eshelman, Alyse Herr Dreher HONORING AFRICAN EPISCOPAL HON. DAVID YOUNG Mr. Speaker, the example set by these stu- CHURCH OF ST. THOMAS OF IOWA dents and their coaches demonstrates the re- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES wards of hard work, dedication, and persever- ance. I am honored to represent them in the HON. DWIGHT EVANS Tuesday, November 28, 2017 United States Congress. I ask that all of my OF PENNSYLVANIA Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise colleagues in the United States House of Rep- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES today to recognize and congratulate Irene resentatives join me in congratulating these Tuesday, November 28, 2017 Stimson of Blanchard, Iowa on the very spe- young men for their achievements in this rig- Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to cial occasion of her 100th birthday. Irene was orous competition and wishing them all noth- honor a devoted and inspirational church, the born on October 19, 1917. ing but continued success.

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