[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 189 (Wednesday, November 29, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO REV. KWASI ANTHONY THORNELL

                                 ______


                          HON. JULIAN C. DIXON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday November 29, 1995

  Mr. DIXON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to thank the 
Reverend Kwasi Anthony Thornell for his wonderful ministry to the 
citizens of the Washington, DC metropolitan area. On January 1, 1996, 
the Reverend Thornell will begin another chapter in his ministry as the 
new Rector of St. Philips Episcopal Church in Columbus, OH. As he 
prepares to begin a new ministry, I am pleased to have this opportunity 
to provide this retrospective of his many years of faithful and 
steadfast ministry in our Nation's Capital.
  Father Kwasi--as he is affectionately known by the many whose lives 
he has touched--has indeed inspired many through his ministry. For over 
a decade, he has served the National Capital Area faithfully, spreading 
his message and affection to the young and the old, as well as to the 
healthy and the infirm. Although he is moving on to continue his 
ministry in another location, his contributions to the Washington 
metropolitan community warrant special praise.
  Born in Tuskegee, AL, the Reverend Thornell was ordained to the 
priesthood by Bishop John T. Walker in 1973. He is a candidate for the 
degree of doctor of ministry at Wesley Seminary and holds a master of 
divinity degree from the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA. He 
received his undergraduate degree from Alma College in Alma, MI. He is 
the father of three children.
  For over two decades Father Kwasi has been bringing spiritual 
awareness and hope to communities in Detroit, MI; St. Louis, MO; and 
our Nation's Capital. In particular, he has been deeply involved in 
efforts to eradicate violence among our youth. As a matter of course, 
Father Thornell has an abiding commitment to eradicating the obstacles 
that perpetuate poverty, illiteracy, and violence. Indeed, in the 
Washington community, he successfully led and improved the cathedral's 
tutorial program, and established a similar program at Calvary 
Episcopal Church. His efforts to stamp out youth violence are well 
known throughout the Washington metropolitan community, where he 
currently serves as a project coordinator for the Violence Prevention 
Initiative for the Foundation for the National Capitol Region.
  As the assistant rector of Calvary Episcopal Church, Father Kwasi was 
very active with youth organizations and worked to extend the church's 
outreach to the surrounding urban community.
  Prior to joining Calvary, the Reverend Thornell spent nearly a decade 
at the Washington National Cathedral. As canon missioner, he was 
responsible for pastoral and liturgical duties, and represented the 
cathedral in areas of urban social justice and outreach ministries. In 
this regard, Father Thornell was especially effective in bringing a 
heightened awareness to the problems of youth violence in the 
community. He participated in numerous forums and outreach efforts 
established to eliminate the conditions that lead our youth away from 
the church and into the arms of violence.

  While at the cathedral, he also served as interim precentor, 
responsible for planning and directing religious services, creating 
liturgies, writing prayers and preparing the Rota. During his tenure, 
Father Thornell was also actively involved in the church's mission to 
highlight the evils of apartheid in South Africa. He traveled to that 
country as a participant in church-sponsored delegations.
  Father Kwasi's early years in the ministry were spent as minister and 
founder of the Alexander Crummell Center for Worship and Learning in 
Detroit, MI. In St. Louis, he served as the vicar of St. Stephen's 
Episcopal Church and as the deputy for urban mission for the Episcopal 
Diocese of Missouri.
  Throughout his distinguished and devoted ministry, Father Kwasi has 
tirelessly worked to improve the socioeconomic condition for the 
disenfranchised and poor members of the community. He has been a savior 
for those children seeking a brighter tomorrow, and provided comfort 
and advice to persons suffering pain, despair, and/or other forms of 
adversity.
  He has used his ministry and the pulpit to deliver powerful, 
inspiring and relevant sermons, translating God's message into 
community action. He has done more than just preach the Gospel. He has 
walked the Gospel, endeavoring to make life just a little better for 
the children and the downtrodden in our community. He has worked with 
patients afflicted with HIV-Aids, and those persons suffering from the 
disease of alcoholism. He is an HIV-Aids education trainer, as well as 
a trained counselor in alcohol abuse. His has been a ministry filled 
with hopefulness and a belief that humankind can have a brighter 
tomorrow if we care for one another.
  A man of seemingly boundless energy, The Reverend Thornell has also 
devoted his time to serve on numerous boards, including RAP, 
Incorporated; the Church Association for Community Services; Episcopal 
Caring Response to Aids, Childrens' Defense Fund, and the National 
African American Clergy HIV/AIDS Task Force.
  In addition to serving as president of the District of Columbia 
Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians [UBE], Father Kwasi also is 
a member of the NAACP, the urban League, the Council of Greater 
Washington, and the Episcopal Urban Caucus.
  Last year, Father Thornell realized a lifelong dream when he starred 
as a cast member of the production of Fraternity at Washington's 
historic and renowed Lincoln Theater.
  Mr. Speaker, as the Reverend Kwasi Anthony Thornell prepares to carry 
his profound, wonderful, and inspirational ministry to St. Philips and 
the greater Columbus community, I am pleased to have this opportunity 
to salute the many outstanding contributions he has made to the 
citizens of the Washington metropolitan area. I ask that my colleagues 
join me in saying thank you and in extending our heartfelt best wishes 
for continued success as he prepares to begin a new, exciting, and 
challenging chapter in his selfless ministry as an exceptional servant 
of our Lord.

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