[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 135 (Thursday, October 2, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1907]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 TRIBUTE TO BISHOP VICTOR T. CURRY, PASTOR OF NEW BIRTH BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 30, 1997

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is truly a distinct honor and 
privilege to pay tribute to one of Miami's great leaders, Bishop Victor 
T. Curry. I want to echo the same sentiments of joy and gratitude that 
the 10,000 members of the New Birth Baptist Church in Miami lifted up 
to Almighty God this past weekend to celebrate his sixth pastoral 
anniversary.
  Bishop Curry, 37 years old, truly represents the best and the noblest 
of our community. As bishop, senior pastor, and teacher of New Birth 
Baptist Church, he is remarkably leading his congregation in the ways 
of God and has tirelessly worked to enlighten our community on the 
agenda of spiritual wisdom and good government based on our God-given 
conscience and responsibility.
  It is indeed fitting for those of us who subscribe to the Judaeo-
Christian faith to pause and reflect on the important role that Bishop 
Curry plays in the day-to-day affairs of our community. I want to 
acknowledge the tremendous work he is doing in constantly guiding not 
only the members of New Birth Baptist Church, but the entire community. 
He has truly exemplified the example of Christ as the Good Shepherd, 
and has led his flock of believers, sharing with them the words of 
God's wisdom and the good news emanating from the Gospel.
  His motto, ``From Vision to Victory,'' has impacted the lives of 
countless people, propelling him into one of our Nation's charismatic 
televangelists par excellence. Along with countless others in our 
community, I am indeed a fortunate beneficiary of Bishop Curry's 
televised teachings and radio ministry through the church-owned Radio 
WMBM-1490 AM, especially in his advocacy to demonstrate both by way of 
word and example our unconditional love for and commitment to the 
children and the elderly, the poor, the disenfranchised, and the least 
fortunate among us. I have learned from him the very centrality of God 
in our daily lives, conscious of the fact that the mandate of our faith 
must characterize our attitudes toward those who could least fend for 
themselves.
  In its laudatory recognition the Miami Times aptly described him as 
``a forceful, courageous, and visionary leader not only of the 
religious community but also of our wider society * * * with the 
recognition that our churches are part of a larger network of 
institutions that are the pillars of our community.'' Bishop Curry is 
fully living up to his vocation as a genuine pastor. His standards for 
learning, caring, and achieving, especially among the youth has won for 
him the accolades of our ecumenical community. Public and private 
agencies have oftentimes cited him for his untiring consecration to the 
truth and his uncompromising stance on justice and equal opportunity 
for all.
  Moreover, his crusades in teaching many a wayward inner-city youth 
has become legendary. He has gained the utmost confidence of countless 
parents and teachers who see in him a no-nonsense motivator. They are 
wont to entrust him with the future of their children, fully cognizant 
and genuinely confident that they would learn from him the tenets of 
scholarship and the pursuit of scholastic excellence under a 
conscientious commitment and rigorous discipline.
  Our community is deeply touched and comforted by his undaunted 
leadership, compassion, and personal warmth. As head of one of the 
fastest growing churches in Florida, Bishop Curry preaches and lives by 
the adage that under the grace of God's Providence our common quest for 
personal integrity and professional achievement is not beyond the reach 
of those who are willing to dare the impossible. As a man of God and as 
an indomitable leader in our community, he has rightfully earned our 
deepest respect and genuine admiration.
  This is the great legacy Bishop Victor T. Curry is unselfishly 
sharing with all of us. I am greatly privileged indeed to have his 
friendship and his confidence, and I am grateful that he continues to 
teach me to live by his noble ethic of always loving God and serving my 
fellowmen.

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