[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 56 (Monday, May 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E838]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO BISHOP G.E. PATTERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. HAROLD E. FORD, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 5, 1997

  Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Gilbert Earl Patterson, 
Bishop in the Church of God in Christ, and Pastor of both the Temple of 
Deliverance Church and Bountiful Blessings Church in Memphis, TN.
  Recognized as one of the foremost preachers in the world, Bishop 
Patterson preaches every Sunday to a congregation of over 11,000 
members, and to an international television audience on Black 
Entertainment Television and the Turner Broadcasting Network. Through 
his enlightening and uplifting sermons, Bishop Patterson provides 
spiritual sustenance to tens of thousands of congregants and millions 
of television viewers and radio listeners around the world.
  Bishop Patterson has had a distinguished career as a minister. He was 
born in Memphis and lived in Detroit throughout most of his teen years. 
He began his vocation in 1957 at the young age of 17 and continued from 
1962 to 1975 as copastor of Holy Temple Church of God in Christ in 
Memphis. In 1975, he founded Temple of Deliverance. In addition to his 
service to the people as a minister, Bishop Patterson is also a scholar 
and published writer. He attended LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis, the 
Detroit Bible Institute and holds an honorary doctorate from Oral 
Roberts University. He is a contributing writer to the Spirit Filled 
Bible.
  On Wednesday, April 30, Bishop Patterson was honored by his 
congregation in Memphis, TN. Bishop Patterson's commitment to his 
fellow man and to the common good have had a tremendous impact on my 
life. I consider him a confidant and a friend, Mr. Speaker. That is why 
I ask you and my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to 
join me in honoring this giant of a preacher, paragon of inspiration, 
and decorated soldier of the cloth, Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson.

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