[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 105 (Wednesday, July 23, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF REV. DR. JAMES W. BATTLE, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BRUCE F. VENTO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 23, 1997

  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the career of the 
Reverend Dr. James W. Battle Sr. Reverend Battle has served as pastor 
of Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Saint Paul, MN, since June 1972. His 
distinguished career and commitment to the community should serve as an 
example to all.
  Pastor Battle answered his call to the ministry and moved with his 
family to Nashville, TN, in order to attend the American Baptist 
College. He graduated and became the chaplain of the State Prison, and 
later a counselor at Meharry Medical College. In 1972, he accepted the 
position as pastor of Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Saint Paul, MN. In 
1977, the pastor received his master's of divinity from the Luther 
Seminary in Saint Paul, and earned his doctorate of ministry degree 
from the United Seminary in New Brighton, MN, in 1985.
  Under his leadership, Mount Olivet has steadily grown. Shortly after 
his arrival, he directed the construction of a new church building and 
revived Bible study classes. These improvements have resulted in 
additional services being provided by the church, as well as expansions 
to the church facility.
  Aside from being a dynamic leader of his church, Pastor Battle has 
extended his energies to the community. He has served as: co-founder of 
the Saint Paul Ecumenical Alliance of Congregations; member of the St. 
Paul Urban League; member of the Council of Black Minnesotans; member 
of the Rainbow Coalition; and chairman of the Minority Advisory 
Committee of the Metropolitan Transit Commission.
  In addition, the Reverend has organized his community at several 
levels. He was an organizer of the march of the State capitol in honor 
of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1979, and most recently helped 
coordinate the Minnesota contingency to the Million Man March in 
Washington, DC, which departed from and returned to Mount Olivet. 
Currently, he is also involved with a Gang Summit at Mount Olivet, the 
African-American Parent Group, Native American Special Project, and Lao 
Family Community Services, all in Saint Paul.
  In 1996, I was privileged to be present when Pastor Battle received 
Luther Seminary's annual Race, Church, and Change Award. He has also 
been the recipient of the S.E. Hall Community Service Award from the 
Saint Paul Urban League, and the Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award 
for Outstanding Achievement and Contribution in the area of religion in 
1992 and 1993.
  I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Reverend 
Battle and his family for all of his accomplishments as he celebrates 
25 years with Mount Olivet. I would also like to thank him for serving 
his church and community with such dedication and devotion and hope 
that he and his family are blessed with greater endeavors in the 
future. Happy Retirement.

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