[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 103 (Thursday, June 22, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H6210]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNITION OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION'S RESOLUTION, JUNE 22, 
                                  1995

  (Mrs. MEEK of Florida asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to stand here today 
to recognize the bold and courageous step the Southern Baptist 
Convention took during its annual convention. As many of you know, its 
members passed a resolution acknowledging and asking forgiveness for 
past acts of racism.
  The Southern Baptist Convention was created in 1845 when some members 
split from the American Baptist Convention over the question of whether 
slaveowners could be missionaries.
  In 1989, its members moved toward this historic resolution when they 
declared racism a sin.
  This resolution commits its members to eradicating racism in all its 
forms from Southern Baptist life and ministry. I pray, Mr. Speaker, 
that others would follow the example of the Southern Baptist Convention 
so that our great Nation can be all that it can be, utilizing the full 
potential of all its citizens regardless of race.


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