[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 12 (Tuesday, February 4, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO ELDER WILLIAM ALONZO GIVENS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JULIAN C. DIXON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 4, 1997

  Mr. DIXON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Elder William 
Alonzo Givens, who passed away on Christmas Day, December 25, 1996.
  Elder Givens was born in Austin, TX, on April 20, 1916, to Arthur 
Givens and Lizzy Burton. He received his ministry license at the age of 
17. In 1929, the Givens family relocated to Midland, TX, where they 
continued to serve God faithfully, ministering to the needs of many 
others in the community.
  On August 3, 1939, Elder Givens married the former Louise Estelle 
Thomas. Their blessed union produced seven children, two of whom 
preceded Elder Givens in death. In December 1942 Elder Givens moved his 
family to Los Angeles, CA. In 1943, he embarked on a career as a 
longshoreman, a career that would span nearly 30 years.
  In 1976, Elder Givens was assigned by Bishop S. M. Crouch to serve as 
assistant pastor to the late Walter Sanders at All Nation Church of God 
in Christ, located in San Pedro, CA.
  During his lifetime, Elder Givens traveled throughout California 
pastoring to the needs of the sick and the shut-in. He not only 
preached the Gospel, he worked to counsel troubled youths, and those 
who were in need of spiritual nourishment and fellowship. At his home-
going celebration, person after person rose to speak of their love and 
selfless devotion for this gentle, kind, and always God-fearing man, 
who loved unconditionally and cherished his family and his God.
  Those who knew best of his love for humankind--his family--spoke 
lovingly of a man who was not only a husband and a father, but of a man 
who was their friend, counselor, spiritual guide, provider, and 
protector.
  Mr. Speaker, Elder Givens was a man of tremendous character and 
integrity. His success was measured not in material terms, but in the 
honorable manner in which he lived his life. His devotion to God was 
unwavering, and his commitment to the sacrament of marriage and the 
responsibilities of parenthood, stand as the true measure of this 
humble servant of our God.
  I, therefore, ask you to join me in celebrating the extraordinary 
contributions of this extraordinary man. In honoring his memory, we 
extend our condolences to his beloved wife, Louise; his children: 
Nettie, Linda, Gwendolyn, Jerry, and Robert; and his 19 grandchildren 
and 9 great-grandchildren, and numerous friends who mourn his loss.

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