[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 112 (Friday, August 1, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1623]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO DR. JAMES H. HARGETT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 1, 1997

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, and colleagues, I rise today to pay tribute 
to Rev. James H. Hargett, who is retiring after 42 years in the 
ministry, the last 10 years as Pastor of the Christian Fellowship 
Congregational United Church of Christ.
  Dr. Hargett, as he is known by his parishioners, friends and 
colleagues alike, always makes it a point to blend African-American 
history with theology. In his sermons or during his numerous public 
speaking engagements, Dr. Hargett will always discuss the present 
conditions of African-Americans in the context of the history of almost 
250 years of slavery.
  ``A son of the South'', Dr. Hargett was born in Greensboro, North 
Carolina 67 years ago. He grew up to march with Dr. Martin Luther King 
Jr., and participated in numerous civil rights demonstrations and 
causes. ``It was at this time,'' noted Dr. Hargett, ``that I got the 
chance to witness the system of separate but equal from a close up 
point of view.''
  He recognized that a system based on segregation and bigotry would 
weaken our society. From that moment on, Dr. Hargett dedicated his life 
to fighting prejudice and injustice wherever it exists.
  Dr. Hargett married Louilyn Funderburke Hargett. Together, they have 
three adult children and five grandchildren. Since graduating from 
North Carolina A&T and the Yale Divinity School in the Mid-1950's, Dr. 
Hargett had ministries in Hawaii, North Carolina, Los Angeles, New 
York, and New Jersey before moving to San Diego a decade ago.
  He was active in the effort against Proposition 209, the anti-
affirmative action initiative that was approved by California voters in 
1996. He still believes that through strong leadership and 
organization, equal opportunity will continue to be the cornerstone of 
this democracy.
  Dr. Hargett has been a man of vision and dedication. He has been a 
minister and a teacher--a conscience for us all.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in paying 
tribute to Dr. James H. Hargett on this special occasion.

                          ____________________