[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 65 (Monday, May 23, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    TRIBUTE TO REV. ELMER L. FOWLER

                                 ______


                           HON. MEL REYNOLDS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 23, 1994

  Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to the attention of 
my colleagues, the outstanding work done by a great leader in my 
congressional district, the Reverend Elmer L. Fowler of the Third 
Baptist Church. Attached is a proclamation I issued Reverend Fowler 
commending him for his work.

                              Proclamation

       Whereas the Reverend Elmer L. Fowler is deeply concerned 
     about uplifting humanity and Black people in particular he is 
     the founder of three distinguished Institutions that 
     exhilarate, transform, and serve the people of the community, 
     organizing the Chicago Youth Club in 1939 to enhance the 
     academic standards of Black youth, renamed in honor of World 
     War Two Hero Dorie Miller, in 1943 Reverend Fowler 
     established the Dorie Miller Awards to recognize the 
     contributions of individuals and organizations who promote 
     the welfare and progress of American citizens of the Black 
     race; and
       Whereas Reverend Fowler, in 1963 established the Third 
     Baptist Church of Chicago with eight people and fourteen 
     dollars, in one year, the Third Baptist Church moved into its 
     own building. Later, as the Congregation grew, the Beverly 
     Theater was purchased at 95th Street, and Ashland, additional 
     properties were added for a commercial Banquet Hall, boosting 
     the property value over two million dollars, the banquet hall 
     named Heritage Plaza celebrates high black achievers like 
     Jackie Robinson and Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, through its 
     memorial rooms, and galleries of portraits and photographs, 
     Third Baptist Church continues to lift up Jesus Christ, 
     reaching out to the local community and around the world to 
     help others; and
       Whereas Reverend Fowler has a shepherd's heart and desiring 
     to help the less fortunate, he established the Englewood 
     Community Health Organization in 1976, the facilities of this 
     organization are valued over eight million dollars, the 
     organization helps the homeless, the mentally ill, and many 
     others: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Congress of the United States wishes to 
     acknowledge the institutional building skills and 
     accomplishments of The Reverend Elmer L. Fowler, and the 
     Third Baptist Church of Chicago, Illinois, by entering these 
     accomplishments into the Congressional Record and Archives of 
     the One Hundred and Third Congress of the United States of 
     America.

                          ____________________