[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 12, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1075]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  A TRIBUTE TO REV. AARON GIBSON, SR.

                                 ______


                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 12, 1996

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Rev. Aaron 
Nathaniel Gibson, Sr., pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Long 
Branch, NJ. Reverend Gibson was overwhelmingly elected pastor by the 
members of the congregation on February 21, 1996, Ash Wednesday, after 
a 17-year association.
  Mr. Speaker, the Second Baptist Church of Long Branch has a long and 
illustrious history, going back more than a century. In the 1880's, a 
group of believers in the Baptist faith settled in Long Branch. Finding 
no church, they met in the home of Mrs. Ellen Hill of Brook Street, 
with Brother William Bloodsaw as their leader. As the group of 
worshipers grew too large for the house on Brook Street, the 
congregation moved to Liberty Hall on Broadway, and, from there, back 
to Brook Street in the public primary school building, and then on to 
Layton Hall on Broadway. Brother Bloodsaw was succeeded by Reverend 
Jones, who was followed by Reverend Jeffries. It was during the tenure 
of Reverend Jeffries that the present site, 93 Liberty Street, was 
purchased and a frame building was constructed. The current stone 
building in which the congregation now worships was built in 1904. The 
church subsequently purchased a parish home on Liberty Street. The 
Reverend C.P. Williams was installed as pastor in 1934, and served 
continuously more than 50 years. During these sometimes difficult years 
of growth, expansion, and stability, the Second Baptist Church 
distinguished itself not only for providing its members with spiritual 
inspiration and sustenance, but also for civic, humanitarian, 
educational, and community endeavors.
  Reverend Gibson, a native of Baltimore, has great experience not only 
as a minister, but also as an educator, published writer, human 
resource manager, and Army chaplain. He has studied at Brookdale 
Community College, El Paso Community College, Newark State College, and 
the University of Maryland. He has served as an associate minister of 
Fulton Baptist Church in Baltimore, assistant pastor of a 750-member 
church in Vogelweh, Germany, and as the director of parish development 
for the Army Chaplaincy. Reverend Gibson is married to Sheila 
Alexander, and they have three children: Aaron Nathaniel, Jr., Damon 
Garrick, and Rachel Renee.
  Mr. Speaker, Reverend Gibson is seeking to lead the people of the 
Second Baptist Church of Long Branch on a spiritual pilgrimage of being 
``A Church Led By The Spirit Of God.'' Given the proud history of 
Second Baptist, the strong bonds of family and community of its 
members, and the inspired and devoted leadership of Reverend Gibson, I 
am confident that this spiritual journey will continue for many years 
to come.

                          ____________________