[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 68 (Thursday, May 26, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 26, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                E X T E N S I O N   O F   R E M A R K S


                       TRIBUTE TO REV. D.L. WELCH

                                 ______


                            HON. EARL HUTTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 25, 1994

  Mr. HUTTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
contributions of Rev. D.L. Welch. Reverend Welch is celebrating his 
89th birthday this week. For over 60 years, Reverend Welch has 
contributed to the spiritual development of Escambia County through the 
First Pentecostal Church of Pensacola.
  For more than 70 years, the Reverend Welch has preached the Gospel to 
all. He began the local phase of his career in the late 1920's with 
massive tent revivals drawing as many as 5,000 attendees in one night. 
Before long, the people of this community insisted he establish a 
church and pastor it. Today it is one of the largest in our worldwide 
denomination. At the present time, it is being expanded into a 2,000-
seat sanctuary on a nearly 9-acre site
  The Reverend Welch's accomplishments could take up a volume, but yet 
he is a humble man. Despite the fact that literally tens of thousands 
of people have come to salvation through his preaching, Reverend Welch 
has not sought nor received public acclaim. He believes his reward will 
come in Heaven; true enough--but obviously we wish to remember his 
record of helping all who came to him by instilling these values in 
others with something tangible today.
  The Reverend Welch has authored two widely read books. The first, 
``Contending for the Faith,'' is hailed as a concise theological primer 
on the true nature of God, His Spirit and His incarnation as Jesus. His 
second, ``D.L. Welch, A Man of War,'' chronicles--and preserves--the 
earliest foundations of Pentecostal theology and evangelism. Both are 
considered must reading for those who seek the truth of God's 
revelation to humanity.
  Florida Governor Fuller Warren recognized his abilities. With the 
concurrent advice and consent of the President of the Florida Senate 
and the Senate as a whole, the Reverend Welch served as Chaplain of the 
Senate, becoming a trusted source of spiritual advice and comfort to 
the State's lawmakers.
  The totality of his career's accomplishments are recognized by his 
denomination as well. He was unanimously elected to the general board 
of the United Pentecostal Church and still serves today, representing 
the membership at-large. This honor ranks the Reverend Welch among the 
Nation's top religious leadership, a point of pride for Escambia 
County.
  But Reverend Welch's most significant accomplishment is changed 
lives. These are thousands of stories. But the Reverend Welch is not a 
self-seeker; the job of accomplishing such acts of life-saving renewal 
is sufficient recognition.
  I am pleased to pay tribute to Reverend Welch. We wish him a happy 
birthday, and many more years of service.

                          ____________________