[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 175 (Tuesday, November 7, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2116-E2117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  REV. DR. CAESAR ARTHUR WALTER CLARK: NOTING MILESTONES IN RELIGIOUS 
                                HISTORY

                                 ______


                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 7, 1995

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay 
tribute to the many accomplishments of the Reverend Doctor Caesar 
Arthur Walter Clark, pastor of the Good Street Missionary Baptist 
Church in Dallas, TX.
  There are many milestones in our lives by which we can mark the 
significance of our works. Most are directly influenced by the people 
with whom we come in contact. Rarely are we privileged to have someone 
like the Reverend Doctor Caesar A.W. Clark influence our lives so 
richly and so deeply.
  Dr. Clark this year celebrates 65 years in the pulpit. He has led the 
Good Street Baptist Church congregation for 45 of those years. Those 
years were enhanced by a wealth of religious, academic, civic, and 
community service involvement. He has mentored hundreds of younger 
preachers. He is a much-in-demand evangelist who is constantly called 
upon to preach the gospel across this Nation and beyond. His ageless 
wisdom expands the globe.
  Twice Dr. Clark has been cited by Ebony Magazine as one of the 
Nation's 15 greatest black preachers. He is considered the dean of 
preachers by many pastors, ministers, and laity as well, who marvel 
continually at the power of his messages and the depth of his theology.
  Pastor Clark is a quiet, generous, and warm-spirited person whose 
keen insight serves to bring sharp focus to many of the perplexing 
issues of our times. The Louisiana native credits his mother with 
giving him the tenacity to stay in school and the fortitude to continue 
in the church through the many difficult early years out of Shreveport.
  Born December 15, 1914, Reverend Clark is an only child who began 
preaching at age 13. Reverend Clark left school prior to graduation to 
work full time on his family's farm. With his mother's strong 
determination deeply instilled in him, he returned to school and earned 
a bachelor's degree from Bishop College, then in Marshall. TX. Along 
with an honorary degree from Bishop, he has received numerous other 
earned and honorary degrees.
  Dr. Clark's ability as a mediator is without parallel. He brings 
moderation and even-mindedness to the most hotly contested situations. 
When he speaks, others really do listen.
  Dr. Caesar Clark is indeed one of the Nation's most outstanding 
religious scholars. His reputation as a theologian when combined with 
his oratorical abilities make him a continually sought-after speaker 
and teacher. His keen talent, special skills, and generous nature have 
caused him to excel at his craft and have taken him many miles from his 
birthplace in Clarence, a town in Natchitoches Parish, LA.
  Reverend Clark's awards and accolades from officials, organizations, 
and citizen groups large and small fill walls and volumes. He has been 
cited by communities and elected bodies across America. In his honor, a 
portion of the street where the Good Street Church is located has been 
named Dr. C.A.W. Clark Plaza by the Dallas City Council. He is 
respected and loved.
  Currently, he is president of the Baptist Missionary and Education 
Convention of Texas. Previously, he has served in many elected and 
appointed positions with the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., the 
115-year-old organization that is home for more than 8 million African-
American Baptists.
  Reverend Clark preached his first sermon on the fourth Sunday in 
April 1928. He was first called to serve as pastor of the Little Union 
Baptist Church in Shreveport. Today, as shepherd of the Good Street 
Church, Dr. Clark leads a congregation known for its generosity and 
service to the community. The more than 2,000-member church operates a 
variety of programs for young people, families, and the elderly 
including a 332-unit low-income housing complex, a social service 
center, and two child care facilities. The church has a credit union 
with assets of nearly $2 million. Its enthusiastic and longtime support 
of foreign missions has led the Good Street Church to build a sister 
Good Street Church in Vrede, South Africa.
  Dr. Clark's rich and productive history make him an integral and 
valuable part of Texas and 

[[Page E 2117]]
national religious life. In the days ahead, his value as a leader 
becomes all the more important to the religious community as it must be 
capable of meeting the increasing challenges presented by generations 
of African-Americans who are seeking to revitalize their spiritual 
resources.
  Dr. Clark is a visionary and a quintessential leader whose rare blend 
of innate biblical knowledge and scholarship makes him well suited for 
the many challenges that are routine occurrences in our society. 
Although he has a lengthy list of awards and accomplishments, Dr. Clark 
is most proud of the young people who have come to Christ because of 
his inspiration and teaching.
  We are pleased that the Reverend Doctor Caesar Arthur Walter Clark 
resides in Texas's 30th Congressional District. Furthermore, I am proud 
of his many deeds and milestones as a pastor, an evangelist, a leader, 
and a citizen. I wholeheartedly offer commendations in recognition of 
his 65 years as an outstanding preacher and pastor. Today, I join 
members of the clergy, church members, Dallas citizens, and others to 
show appreciation and to acknowledge the many contributions and 
achievements by Dr. Clark, a man well worthy of praise.

                          ____________________