[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 139 (Thursday, September 29, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
   TRIBUTE TO REV. D. KEITH OWENS, PASTOR OF THE SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______


                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 28, 1994

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today before the House of 
Representatives to pay tribute to Rev. D. Keith Owens, Salem Baptist 
Church of Jersey City's new pastor.
  The Salem Baptist Church was founded in 1870 and was born the Second 
Baptist Mission, when the congregation worshipped in the home of Joseph 
and Mary Bailey. In 1871, Rev. Hutchingson, the mission's second 
leader, secured the larger Carr's Hall for worship. In 1875 the mission 
was organized as the Salem Baptist Church and Rev. Hutchingson was 
ordained pastor. In 1877 Rev. Richard A. Motley accepted the pastorate 
and served until 1904. During this time a building was purchased and 
Joseph Bailey and Matthew Brown were ordained Salem's first deacons. 
From 1929 to 1934 the church was under the leadership of Rev. Furman W. 
Means. During these 14 years the Sunday school flourished, the 
auxiliaries expanded, and the church gained the national recognition of 
Baptists. The years to follow saw the church negotiate and pay for the 
present site of Salem at the corner of Clinton and Madison Avenues.
  Rev. D. Keith Owens, born in Dillon, SC and raised in Newark, NJ, 
comes to Salem by way of Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church in Camden, NJ 
where he was senior pastor for 5 years. Emphasizing the importance of 
youth and education, Rev. Owens established a scholarship and endowment 
fund to help students in poor communities in Camden to afford college 
educations.
  Living by the creeds of the greats who preceded him, including his 
parents, and other family members who were ministers, Rev. Owens' own 
achievements speak for themselves. At 32 years of age, he has written a 
weekly column on religion and current events for a local Camden area 
newspaper, taught speaking and English at a county college, directed 
public relations for the National Ministries, lectured throughout the 
United States and Africa, and made numerous television appearances in 
addition to pastoring. The list of accolades, memberships, and 
activities is endless.
  I'm proud to have the opportunity to recognize Rev. D. Keith Owens 
and the Salem Baptist Church before the House, and I ask my colleagues 
to join me in thanking them for their service to the community and 
commending their achievements.

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