[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 23, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E57]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          SALUTE TO REV. SAMUEL AMOS BRACKEEN OF PHILADELPHIA

                                 ______


                        HON. THOMAS M. FOGLIETTA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 23, 1996

  Mr. FOGLIETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to 
Rev. Samuel Brackeen, founder and pastor of the Philippian Baptist 
Church to congratulate him on his many years of service to the 
Philadelphia community.
  Reverend Brackeen, educated at Paul Quinn College, Oberlin Graduate 
School of Theology, University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, and 
Vanderbilt University, began his tenure with the Philippian Baptist 
Church over 30 years ago. He is founder of the Progressive National 
Baptist Convention and the Baptist Global Mission Bureau. Reverend 
Brackeen has dedicated his life to improving the plight of his people 
in many areas.
  Reverend Brackeen has also played a vital role in many programs in 
the Philadelphia community as the vice president of the Pittsburgh 
N.A.A.C.P. branch, chairman of the civil rights committee and chairman 
of the Centre Avenue Y.M.C.A. Reverend Brackeen has been active in 
religious and community projects, holding memberships in various 
organizations for community betterment. He has served as the 
Philadelphia community finance chairman and board member of the 
Columbia Y.M.C.A., executive director of the Helping Hand Committee 
Inc. and board member of Nannie Helen Burroughs School. In 
Philadelphia, he has been active in the fight against police brutality, 
The 400 Ministers' Campaign, the fight for job opportunities, and the 
bettering of educational opportunities for African-Americans. 
Currently, Reverend Brackeen is an incorporator and director of the 
United Bank of Philadelphia, the only black commercial bank in 
Pennsylvania.
  I hope my colleagues will join me today in congratulating the 
Reverend Samuel Brackeen for his many years of service with the 
Philippian Baptist Church and the Philadelphia community. I wish the 
Reverend Samuel Brackeen and the Philippian Baptist Church the very 
best as they continue their service to the Baptist community in 
Philadelphia.

                          ____________________