[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 143 (Wednesday, October 22, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2050]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF BISHOP GERALD JULIUS KAUFMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 22, 1997

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my deepest sympathy to 
the family and friends of Bishop Gerald Julius Kaufman, a man of the 
cloth who dedicated his life to the service of our community. Bishop 
Kaufman passed away on April 25.
  Bishop Kaufman was sought by people from all ages. He was the chief 
shepherd of the Love Gospel Assembly, in my South Bronx congressional 
district. Established in 1970, the assembly is now one of the largest 
ministries in the New York City area.
  At a special ceremony celebrated outside the church on October 9th, 
the community renamed part of the Grand Concourse, the main street in 
the Bronx, after him. It is now ``Bishop Gerald J. Kaufman Way''.
  Kaufman was born in 1935 to Jewish parents Fred and Julia Kaufman in 
New York City. He demonstrated his strong will and perseverance by 
winning the battle against 12 years of substance abuse. His immense 
love for God and desire to be trained in the faith brought him to the 
Zion Bible School in Rhode Island, where he graduated with honors.
  In 1967, Kaufman was ordained into ministry at the Zion Bible 
Institute. He continued his religious education at Vision Christian 
University, in Hawaii, where he received a B.S.L., Th.M., D. Min., 
L.H.D. and Ph.D.
  Bishop Kaufman's service to God and his social ministry at the Love 
Gospel Assembly gave birth to a program which now feeds 500 to 700 
people daily, a Care Service Ministry, and an Antioch School of Urban 
Ministry dedicated to train men and women in urban ministry.
  Kaufman's fruitful work at Love Gospel Assembly spread far beyond the 
Bronx. He facilitated the opening of churches in Orlando, FL; Aguadilla 
and Bayamon, PR; Bridgetown, Barbados; and Ghana, Africa. He oversaw 23 
ordained ministers, 22 licensed ministers, 16 pastors, and 45 
missionaries.
  Among other recognitions, Kaufman received a citation of merit and 
proclamation for dedicated community work from the Bronx Borough 
President's Office. Committed to his community, he also served on the 
board of directors of the Youth Challenge International organization 
and the Barnabas Ministries, and as chaplain of the Police Benevolent 
Association for the Federal Protective Services.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to join the family, friends, and members of 
the community in their prayers for the soul of Bishop Gerald Julius 
Kaufman. His legacy of love for our inner city neighborhood has not 
gone unnoticed. It is a blessing to all of our communities.

                          ____________________