[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 78 (Thursday, May 11, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E995]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    TRIBUTE TO DR. NEAL THOMAS JONES

                                 ______


                          HON. THOMAS M. DAVIS

                              of virginia

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 10, 1995
  Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, my colleague and I rise today to pay tribute 
to a fine individual of the Eleventh District of Virginia, who has 
contributed so much to his community.
  Dr. Neal Thomas Jones retired as pastor of Columbia Baptist Church in 
Falls Church, Virginia April 30, 1995 after twenty-six years of 
dedicated and faithful service. Under Dr. Jones' leadership, the 
congregation became one of the largest congregations of any faith in 
Virginia and a leader among Virginia Baptists. Because of his vision, 
Columbia Baptist has extended its reach far beyond the traditional 
religious activities to include an array of intensive community 
services. Among them are:
  World Friends, which provides English As A Second Language 
Instruction for more than 100 people each week.
  Church and Community Ministries, which provides food, clothing, 
furniture, rent, and transportation to more than 500 people annually.
  Columbia Child Development Center which provides Day Care for 
approximately 200 children on a year-round basis; Care-A-Van which at 
its peak delivered more than 200 meals weekly and served as a life line 
for many rescued from homelessness.
  Counseling Ministry, which involves crisis prevention and crises 
prevention measures such as marriage preparation and parenting classes.
  Columbia Institute of Fine Arts, which provides instruction to the 
community in fine arts.
  In addition, Columbia Baptist facilities have become a vital resource 
for various community support groups including Alcoholics Anonymous, 
Survivors of Incest, Narcotics Anonymous, Alzheimer support groups, 
Alzheimer Day Care Program, Family Nurturing Training Program, Muscular 
Dystrophy and other support groups.
  Columbia Baptist Church's other activities include working with local 
Police Departments to provide summer camps for children from 
disadvantaged areas, working with city and county agencies to provide a 
myriad of community services to the poor and disadvantaged, and 
fostering a sister relationship with the Baptists of Moscow before the 
days of normalized relationship. Furthermore, Columbia Baptist provides 
facilities for various community events including regional conferences 
on drug abuse and prevention, and mental health services related to 
aging, including the White House Conference on Aging in 1995.
  Mr. Speaker, we know our colleagues join us in honoring Dr. Jones 
whose church has attracted the neediest downtrodden elements of our 
society along with diplomats, members of Congress, professional 
football coaches, and others who sought spiritual inspiration.


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