February 25, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E169 HONORING JAMES ‘‘JIMMY’’ MOLL also interpreted and brought to life for the pub- IN RECOGNITION OF THE 100TH AN- FOR A LIFETIME OF SERVICE TO lic. NIVERSARY OF THE PARK AVE- OUR COUNTRY AND COMMUNITY Diana has served the National Park Service NUE MISSIONARY BAPTIST for the last decade. She began her career with CHURCH HON. BRIAN HIGGINS the National Park Service in 2011 as the su- OF NEW YORK pervisory horticulturist for Rock Creek Park in HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Washington, D.C. Four years later, she be- OF MISSOURI IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, February 25, 2021 came the chief of maintenance at the National Capital Parks-East. In 2019, Diana was Thursday, February 25, 2021 Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speak- awarded the honor of being the National Park er, James Moll lived as the Preamble to the Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise Service National Capital Area Manager of the American Legion Constitution begins, ‘‘for God today to recognize the 100th anniversary of Year. Diana is also a graduate of the National and country.’’ Mr. Moll embodied each of the the Park Avenue Missionary Baptist Church. Park Service Facility Manager Leaders Pro- Legion’s value principles. A Veteran is a Vet- Since 1921, this church has served as a cor- gram and now serves as a program mentor to eran that obliges the Legion to help current nerstone of Kansas City’s African American others. and former members of the military transition religious community. Under the dedicated and into their community. How better to do this Diana is both a team player and a tremen- passionate leadership of its numerous pastors, than by becoming Niagara County and Legion dous leader. She is passionate about leader- the Park Avenue Missionary Baptist Church Post 264 Commander? ship and strives to mentor others to bring out has stood strong and prospered. This church Jim offered his selfless service to the world their best attributes and support their aspira- has served as a center of support during Kan- and his country in the Army, and his American tions. Throughout her tenure with the National sas City’s most trying times and as a center values and patriotism were always on display Park Service, Diana has been able to combine of celebration during its best times. No matter the challenges Kansas City faced, the Park in his enlistment in the Army and subsequent her educational background in natural re- Avenue Missionary Baptist Church has re- membership in Chapter 77 of the Vietnam Vet- sources with her appreciation for storytelling mained steadfast for all the faithful who made erans of America. into a successful career in public service. the church their spiritual home. ‘‘Jimmy’s’’ engagement with family and com- I am grateful for the work of Diana and the Park Avenue Missionary Baptist Church was munity shined in his devotion to his late wife National Park Service and all they do to care first established in February of 1921 by the and in his co-founding and board membership for our national parks and preserve our leg- late Rev. Thomas H. Ewing. Until the con- of the North Tonawanda Botanical Gardens. acy. I am excited to welcome Diana to South struction of the first house of worship, services His three-decades-long career with the North Carolina’s 5th District, and I wish her luck in were held in the homes of congregation mem- Tonawanda Board of Education demonstrated her new role. bers. Built at 19th Street & Highland Avenue, his commitment to advancing the vision for the original location helped spread the ‘‘good new generations of Americans. Mr. Moll hon- f news’’ to Kansas City’s Black population for ored those who came before with his 45-year thirty-four years. During this time, the church commitment to the Legion and lifelong devo- CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY led parishioners through some of our nation’s tion to God. MONTH AND HONORING LINDA darkest periods. Through the hunger of the His service protected citizens, his leadership HILL ANDERSON Great Depression, the grief of the Second helped veterans, his work served students, World War, and the sorrows of the Korean and his appreciation for natural beauty pre- War, the Park Avenue Missionary Baptist served it for others. Truly, James Moll was a HON. STEPHANIE N. MURPHY Church stood strong and guided churchgoers Veteran who strengthened America. through the trials, tribulations, and troubles f OF FLORIDA that tested the resolve of our country. CONGRATULATING DIANA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES In 1955, the congregation moved to a sec- BRAMBLE ond location at 19th Street & Park Avenue. Thursday, February 25, 2021 For the next sixteen years, Park Avenue Mis- sionary Baptist Church filled the pews and Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Madam Speaker, HON. RALPH NORMAN saved the souls at 19th & Park. Within this OF SOUTH CAROLINA as part of our national celebration of Black new house of God, the church continued deliv- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES History Month, I am paying tribute to African- ering the word of God, just as it had done for American leaders from Florida who have Thursday, February 25, 2021 nearly thirty-five years. As Black Americans made outstanding contributions to our commu- across the country were being beaten and Mr. NORMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today nity and our country. These accomplished jailed for demanding equal citizenship, this to congratulate Diana Bramble on her selec- men and women have not always received the church weathered the storm and provided a tion as the new superintendent of South Caro- recognition they have earned. stable place of worship for Kansas City’s Afri- lina’s Cowpens National Battlefield, located in Today I rise to honor Linda Hill Anderson. can American community. In spite of all that Gaffney, South Carolina, and Kings Mountain Linda is a fourth-generation Hollywood, Florida the community faced, the ministry grew rapidly National Military Park, located in Blacksburg, native. She graduated from Hollywood Hills in size, bringing on six new ministers to the South Carolina. In her new role, Diana will High School and Sheridan Vocational School fellowship while expanding its program offer- also oversee the management of Overmoun- and served in the Broward County Public ings. This remarkable growth in the church tain Victory National historic Trail and Ninety School system for over 40 years. body served as a testament to the spiritual Six National Historic Trail which she has man- gifts of the congregation’s dedicated leaders Linda has been an active member of her aged on a temporary basis since September. while laying the foundation for the meteoric Diana has a tremendous reverence for the community, serving as president of the Liberia growth that was soon to come. history of these sites and their place in the Civic Association and on the African-American Finally, in 1969, it became apparent that the history of our Nation’s founding. They form the Advisory Council. congregation needed a new home. Thus, the National Park Service’s Southern Campaign of Linda was elected to Hollywood’s city com- church began construction on its third and the American Revolution Parks Group and are mission in 2020. She is the first Black woman final location at the intersection of Park and also part of the Liberty Trail, a path of preser- ever to serve on the commission in Holly- Jackson Avenue in the winter of 1970. For 51 vation and interpretation across South Caro- wood’s 95-year history. years, Park Avenue Missionary Baptist Church lina telling the remarkable story of American has remained in this location, providing weekly Commissioner Anderson is a trailblazer and victory in the Revolutionary War. services and invaluable spiritual guidance to an extraordinary public servant. She has dedi- Many historians believe the Revolutionary the community which it serves. Since the first cated her life to making her Hollywood com- War to have been decided in the swamps, bricks of this final location were laid, the munity stronger and fairer. Every day, she fields, woods, and mountains of the South, church has been led by Rev. Dr. Carl John- works tirelessly to improve the lives of her fel- won by the grit of Continental soldiers and Pa- son, Rev. Dr. Ervin, and Rev. Gregory Ste- low Floridians. triot militia. It is because of the important work vens, respectively. of men and women like Diana that the history I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Following the burning of the mortgage in tied to this land will not only be preserved, but and celebrating Linda Hill Anderson. 1972, the Park Avenue Missionary Baptist VerDate Sep 11 2014 10:04 Feb 26, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A25FE8.008 E25FEPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with REMARKS E170 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks February 25, 2021 Church has seen incredible growth in con- years before retiring in 2013. In 2005, the Uni- Representatives for 18 years. She is a mem- gregation size, programming, and community versity of Colorado and the Boettcher Founda- ber of the Democratic National Committee and outreach capacity. With this growth, the tion established the William A. Douglas En- has been a leader within the Florida Demo- church has launched more than 25 different dowment Fund for the Presidents Leadership cratic Party in many different capacities. ministries, improved the church grounds and Class. In a series of firsts, Judy was the first Afri- building in countless ways, and paved the Bill was a devoted husband and a loving fa- can-American to be elected Vice-Chair of the path for further expansion in the community it ther and grandfather.