[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 124 (Friday, July 28, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1555]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     TRIBUTE TO REV. W.L. PATTERSON

                                 ______


                         HON. VERNON J. EHLERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 28, 1995
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I take this 
opportunity to recognize the efforts and achievements of an outstanding 
man from my hometown of Grand Rapids, MI. Rev. W.L. Patterson of the 
True Light Baptist Church has given 41 years of unselfish civic and 
spiritual service to the residents of our community.
  Reverend Patterson was born and raised in Arkansas, and in 1954 was 
called to the pastorate of the True Light Baptist Church. He is known 
throughout our community as a man of great integrity, ambition, and 
leadership. His work and dedication have helped improve the quality of 
life for a countless number of people.
  Since being ordained 56 years ago, Reverend Patterson has continually 
served as a church pastor, and dedicated the last 41 years to the True 
Light Baptist Church. He has accomplished many outstanding services for 
the church such as building a new church, purchasing two parsonages, 
and purchasing property for the church, in addition to serving the 
spiritual needs of his parishioners.
  Reverend Patterson has conducted daily commentaries and has appealed 
to those in need of prayer and counseling over the airwaves of WKWM 
radio. Reverend Patterson has used the power of the radio medium to 
deliver prayers and worship for those who are unable to attend services 
in person. His radio worship services have given him the distinction of 
being one of the first pastors to use this form of communication to 
deliver his message.
  His involvement with the community extends beyond the pulpit of the 
church. He was instrumental in forming the Ambassadors Club, an 
organized Bible study class that later became a community service 
group. He also founded the Kennedy Day Care Center which served the 
youth of our community for more than 20 years. People with substance 
abuse problems have also benefited from Patterson's caring ways. His 
Operation Faith program was established to help those with substance 
abuse problems deal with their dilemmas through alternatives other than 
drugs and alcohol.
  His skills and leadership have also been tapped by numerous 
organizations in the community. He has served as a member of the Kent 
Skills Committee on Relocation and he has also been involved as a board 
member of the Salvation Army's Genesis House. He has also held 
membership in the Grand Rapids chapters of the Urban League and the 
NAACP.
  Not only has Reverend Patterson blessed the lives of many during his 
years of service, he has also been blessed himself by a wonderful 
family. Providing loving support for this dedicated man have been his 
wife Ruth White Patterson and his children Willie Patterson, Jr., 
Allena Ruth Cross, Rev. Irma Jean Jones, Ralph Patterson, Rev. H. 
Calvin Patterson, Barbara Brazil, Thedosa Baker, and his deceased son, 
Walter Patterson.
  Mr. Speaker, I have summed up just a sampling of the many 
accomplishments and achievements of this remarkable and dedicated man. 
It is with great pleasure and privilege that I take this time to honor 
Reverend Patterson for all of his work in helping provide a better way 
of life for those he has come in contact with.


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