CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions Of
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September 17, 2013 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1323 Along with all members of our Armed an independent embodiment of Christians. In State University, Hayward (East Bay), and Forces, I offer my unwavering support to the October of 1903 the church was organized went on to earn an M.A. from the Graduate Navy family in this time of grief. under the leadership of Rev. Kyzer, Rev. G.P. School of Public Policy at the University of We mourn all the victims of this tragedy, in- Green and Rev. A.C. Carter in the home of California, Berkeley. Mr. Harris received his cluding the law enforcement officers who lost Sister Mollie Carey. Then Sister Mahalia Tur- J.D. from the University of California, Davis in their lives, and send our best wishes to sur- ner named the church King Solomon Mis- 1972. vivors as they recover. sionary Baptist Church. Mr. Harris’ esteemed career has spanned My prayers and thoughts will continue to be The first service was held under a brush over four decades as an attorney at law, politi- with the victims and families of the Navy Yard arbor due to lack of proper facilities under the cian, and community college administrator. He shooting. direction of Rev. A.C. Carter. As the fall sea- became a senior partner for the firm of Harris, f son grew colder services were held at the Alexander and Burris in 1978 for twelve years. home of Sister Vickie Love. Under the leader- He was an instructor teaching at various high- HONORING DR. MELVIN B. GIRTON, ship of Rev. A.C. Carter, membership contin- er education institutions in the Bay Area, and SR. ON HIS RETIREMENT ued to grow therefore needing a larger and later served on staff for Congresswoman more appropriate facility. Members appointed Yvonne Burke and Assemblymember John HON. ANDRE´ CARSON a group to form the building committee, who Miller. In 1975, he was appointed as the Exec- arranged to build a frame structure in the utive Director of the National Bar Association OF INDIANA Lintonia subdivision which is today’s current before forging his legacy in California politics. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES location, 1409 Calhoun Avenue. On May 12, In 1978, Mr. Harris was elected to the Cali- Tuesday, September 17, 2013 190*, the church was built after long period of fornia State Assembly to represent the 13th Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise hard work and dedication. District. During his thirteen year tenure, he today to honor Dr. Melvin B. Girton, Sr., who, In 1948, Rev. Hammond was elected as chaired the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, after 50 years of dedicated service, has retired pastor. During this time the church divided and served as Chair of the Select Committees, as the senior pastor of Christ Missionary Bap- the New King Solomon was organized. The and was a member of the Judiciary Committee tist Church in Indianapolis. church suffered greatly during this upheaval. It as well as the Transportation, Health, Labor Throughout his career, Dr. Girton has been was not until Rev. R.S. Scott was elected as and Ways and Means, subcommittees on a champion for civil rights and an outspoken pastor at King Solomon in 1948 that the Education and Finance. In 1981, Mr. Harris advocate for social justice. As spiritual leader church began to rejuvenate, unify and prosper authored the historic legislation that des- of the 94-year-old congregation, he has orga- once more. Rev. Scott served the church with ignated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday a nized and hosted hundreds of events to bring compassion and strong conviction. California state holiday. The Oakland Elihu M. the people of central Indiana together in cele- In 1960, Rev. G.H. Hankins was elected Harris State Office Building was dedicated in bration, remembrance, and hope. He remains and under his leadership the church was re- his honor in 1998. From 1991 to 1999, Mr. Harris served as dedicated to these goals even in retirement modeled. He later resigned in October of 1987 Mayor of Oakland. In that role, Mr. Harris and will continue to serve as host pastor for after twenty-seven years of faithful service. helped to restore and strengthen Oakland fol- the annual Indianapolis Emancipation Procla- Rev. Benjamin Hall Jr. was elected in 1989 lowing the devastating aftermath of both the mation service, an event that is attended by and continues to serve in this capacity today. Loma Prieta earthquake and Oakland Hills dignitaries and officials from around the coun- In 1997, grounds were broken to begin the Firestorm. He developed Oakland Sharing the try. Dr. Girton’s advocacy has not been limited building of the facility that they now occupy. Vision, a community strategic plan involving to the pulpit, though. He he has worked tire- The reconstructed annex was completed, Oaklanders setting goals and objectives for lessly for equality and opportunity as Vice dedicated and renamed the ‘‘Waymon C. the City. He also established community polic- President of the Indianapolis Branch of the Crump Education Complex’’. ing for Oakland neighborhoods, and created NAACP and has been an ever present force Members of King Solomon pride themselves new city programs and initiatives to improve in efforts to strengthen our community. with the energy they put into the youth of the the community such as Oakland Healthy Cities Recognizing a need for job training and the church. Their motto is ‘‘We are Family,’’ and and Camp Read-A-Lot, one of the many edu- redevelopment of local neighborhoods, Dr. they promote it not only in the church family cation endeavors he supported in office. Girton founded the Christ Missionary Baptist but the community through their many min- In 2000, Mr. Harris was appointed by Gov- Economical Training & Development Center in istries. ernor Gray Davis to serve as a board member 1998. The Center began as a small laundry Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me on the California Unemployment Insurance mat in an underused strip mall near the in recognizing the King Solomon Missionary Appeals Board. From there, Mr. Harris was church, but over time has grown to provide a Baptist Church as they strive to be the ‘‘bea- appointed in 2003 as interim Chancellor of the powerful social outlet for seniors, job training con on the hill’’ that guides others to the joy Peralta Community College District before re- for local youth, and reintegration services for of serving God through His Son, Jesus Christ. ceiving the post on a permanent basis in juvenile and adult offenders. f 2004. During his term as Chancellor, Mr. Har- Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in ris was a strong supporter for students and honoring Dr. Girton for his years of dedicated HONORING THE HONORABLE ELIHU championed equal access to education for all. service to his parishioners, the Indianapolis M. HARRIS He served in this capacity until 2010. community, and all Hoosiers. Throughout his prolific career, Mr. Harris f HON. BARBARA LEE has been an ardent advocate for social justice OF CALIFORNIA HONORING THE KING SOLOMON and civil rights. The Martin Luther King Jr. MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Freedom Center and Merritt College has rec- ognized Mr. Harris’ contributions and aptly Tuesday, September 17, 2013 named its lecture series program as ‘‘The Bar- HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise bara Lee and Elihu Harris Lecture Series.’’ OF MISSISSIPPI today to honor the extraordinary career of the On a personal note, Elihu has been my IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Honorable Elihu Harris as we celebrate over brother and my friend since the early 70’s. He 30 years of his dedicated public service and has been my trusted confidant and provides Tuesday, September 17, 2013 accomplishments. Mr. Harris continues to be a honest feedback and constantly ‘‘watches my Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speak- celebrated individual, and we join together in back’’. For this and so much more, I am deep- er, I rise today to honor a pillar of the commu- praise of his remarkable contributions to the ly grateful. nity, the King Solomon M.B. Church. King Sol- Bay Area, California, and our great nation. Therefore, on behalf of California’s 13th omon served as a permanent staple in Yazoo Born Elihu Mason Harris in Los Angeles, Congressional District, the Honorable Elihu City, Mississippi California on August 15, 1947, Mr. Harris grew Harris, I salute you. Your over 30 years of King Solomon M.B. Church was established up in Berkeley, California and graduated from public service have made an indelible mark in when nine members of Holy Green Missionary Berkeley High School in 1965. He received his our community. Best wishes to you and your Church decided to revolutionize and become B.A degree in Political Science at California loved ones in the years to come. VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:42 Sep 18, 2013 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17SE8.013 E17SEPT1 tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS E1324 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 17, 2013 RECOGNIZING WILLIAM ST. Mr. Speaker, for his dedicated service to INDIA’S MISSING GIRLS GEMME, ALL AMERICAN COM- both his Italian heritage and our community, I MANDER commend Daniel DeMelfi, outgoing president HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH of the UNICO Hazleton, Pennsylvania Chap- OF NEW JERSEY HON. BILLY LONG ter. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF MISSOURI Tuesday, September 17, 2013 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, a Tuesday, September 17, 2013 IN MEMORIAM OF STAFF SER- hearing that my subcommittee held last week Mr.