[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 11, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E1571]]



               A SPECIAL SALUTE TO REV. DR. DONALD JACOBS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 11, 1996

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute Rev. Dr. Donald G. Jacobs 
on the occasion of his retirement after more than 55 years of services 
in the ministry. On September 27, 1996, the membership of his present 
congregation, Community A.M.E. Church, will hold a retirement dinner 
honoring Dr. Jacobs. I am proud to join in this tribute to a 
distinguished member of the religious community who is a gifted leader 
and a good friend.
  Dr. Jacobs has served more than 55 years as a minister and pastor in 
African Methodist Episcopal Churches in Pennsylvania and Ohio. The Ohio 
churches include a circuit in Bainbridge and Hillsboro; Quinn Chapel in 
Stubenville; and St. Paul Church in Canton, OH. Dr. Jacobs began his 
ministry in the Cleveland area with his pastorship of St. James A.M.E. 
Church. He also served as pastor at Mt. Moriah A.M.E. Church prior to 
his pastorship at Community Church. Dr. Jacobs is a strong leader who 
possesses vision and wisdom. He has been an inspiration and champion to 
all who have come to know him.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Jacobs has also utilized his pastoral calling to 
bring about important social change. He is the past executive director 
of the Interchurch Council of Greater Cleveland and was the first 
African-American director. Activities which were initiated under his 
leadership include the initiation of a hunger center; the development 
of an interracial program aimed at involving area churches in job 
development for inner-city youth; and support of activities aimed at 
serving mothers on welfare.
  Further, as a member of the National Council of Churches, Dr. Jacobs 
helped to organize Partners in Ecumenism, a national effort to more 
significantly involve African-American clergy and laity in the American 
religious community. Other board memberships include the Ohio 
Humanities Council, the Urban League of Greater Cleveland, and 
Wilberforce University.
  Mr. Speaker, during his lifetime Dr. Jacobs has also been a strong 
voice in the struggle for civil rights. He is the past president of the 
Cleveland Branch NAACP. I recall that in the 1960's, Dr. Jacobs 
organized demonstrations at the building site of a new Federal building 
to protest the exclusion of African-Americans from unions in Cleveland. 
As cochairman of the Emergency Committee of Clergy for Civil Rights, 
Dr. Jacobs helped form an interfaith and interracial group of Cleveland 
clergy to participate in voter registration drives in Mississippi.
  I also recall that when my brother, Carl, launched his campaign to 
become the mayor of Cleveland in 1967, he had the strong support of Dr. 
Jacobs as cochair of the Clergy for Carl Stokes Committee. This unified 
effort resulted in Carl's successful campaign victory, making him the 
first black mayor of a major American city.
  Mr. Speaker, as we pay tribute to Rev. Dr. Donald Jacobs, we honor an 
individual who has led a life of devotion and service to others. I take 
special pride in saluting Dr. Donald Jacobs. We wish him well in his 
retirement and commend him for a life of devotion and leadership.

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