[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E862]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE REVEREND DR. C.B.T. SMITH FOR 45 YEARS OF DEDICATION TO 
                          THE DALLAS COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 7, 1997

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
congratulate and recognize the retirement of a great friend, the 
Reverend Dr. C.B.T. Smith, the minister of the Golden Gate Missionary 
Baptist Church. C.B.T. Smith has played a prominent role in the 
African-American community during his 45 years of service at his church 
in the city of Dallas. The reverend demonstrated a life long commitment 
to the ministerial needs of our community in Dallas, and his service is 
exemplified by his more than 50 years of service in the gospel 
ministry.
  During his tenure, Dr. Smith has been a staunch supporter of 
education and has become well known for his work on the local, State, 
and national levels, promoting positive opportunity through education.
  Dr. Smith's congregation gathered to commemorate his retirement in a 
weekend-long tribute which began April 11, 1997.
  When Dr. Smith came to Dallas, he began to organize and create 
ministries which would give access to all who wished to attend church 
especially those who could not make it to Sunday worship.
  He created a prison ministry and a bus ministry to continue to 
provide outreach to people who needed his service the most. He believed 
in feeding his flock first, through starting the First Christian 
Welfare and Storehouse Ministry, the Sunday School on Wheels Ministry, 
and a senior citizens ministry.
  His most ambitious undertaking was when he launched the ARMS [Adult 
Rehabilitation Ministry], a residential drug and alcohol treatment 
facility for men.
  All of these ministries which he set forth were to bring a sense of 
belonging to those who felt disenfranchised. He wanted to make sure 
that everyone who wanted to could feel a part of this community and 
attend his ministry.
  Mister Speaker, I ask my colleagues assembled here to join me in 
recognizing my good friend and the fine minister from the Golden Gate 
Missionary Baptist Church, the Reverend Dr. C.B.T. Smith, for his many 
years of dedicated service to the city of Dallas. All of Dallas and the 
State of Texas are lucky to have such a fine minister, and I am sure 
that he will, in some way, continue to look after us in some capacity 
in his retirement.

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