[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 20 (Tuesday, March 1, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 1, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 REV. RICHARD GORDON: A RIPPLE OF HOPE

                                 ______


                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 1, 1994

  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, the late Robert Kennedy once said, ``Each 
time men and women stand up for an ideal, or act to improve the lot of 
others, or strike out against injustice, they send forth a tiny ripple 
of hope.''
  For almost 40 years, the Reverend Richard Willis Gordon, pastor of 
the First Baptist Church in my hometown of Murfreesboro, TN, has been a 
living example of Robert Kennedy's words.
  His guidance and leadership have been a beacon of spiritual strength, 
first at the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Utica, KY, in 1956, then at 
the First Baptist Church in Scottsville, KY, and now at First Baptist 
Church of Murfreesboro, where he's been since 1962.
  I recently had the privilege of taking part in a pastor's 
appreciation service honoring Reverend Gordon's 32 years at First 
Baptist. His impact on his church, his community, and all of middle 
Tennessee could be seen in the number of current and former residents, 
guests from other churches, and visitors from other middle Tennessee 
communities who attended.
  But an even deeper tribute to his work could be felt in the warmth of 
his congregation, the bright-eyed youngsters who looked to him with 
respect, and the heartfelt words of those who look to him almost daily 
for advice and comfort.
  Beyond the tireless work for his congregation, Reverend Gordon has 
also dedicated his time, energy, and wisdom to improving his community 
through active involvement in a variety of groups, including the 
Murfreesboro Ministerial Association, the United Ministerial Alliance, 
the Murfreesboro chapter of the NAACP, the Rutherford County Guidance 
Center, the Rutherford County Heart Unit, and the Murfreesboro 
Affordable Housing Advisory Board.
  Most of us, in our own way, aspire to make a difference in our 
communities. Reverend Gordon has, sending forth a ripple of hope for 
current and future generations.

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