[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 10 (Wednesday, February 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO BISHOP JOHN HURST ADAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 11, 1998

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Black HIstory Month to 
pay tribute to one of the most effectual persons I have ever known, 
Bishop John Hurst Adams, the Senior Bishop of the African Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Bishop Adams was born in Columbia, South Carolina, 
where he now lives and presides.
  Bishop Adams grew up in the Waverly neighborhood of Columbia, which 
is located in the Sixth Congressional District which I proudly serve. 
He attended Waverly Elementary School, Booker T. Washington High 
School, and later Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North 
Carolina, where he lettered in four sports. Bishop Adams continued his 
education at the Boston University School of Theology, Harvard 
University School of Divinity, and Union Theological Seminary.
  Bishop Adams has spread the gospel across the breadth of our country 
during his lifetime of service. He began his ministry with a small 
congregation in Lynn, Massachusetts. He taught at Payne Theological 
Seminary in Ohio, and later served as President of Paul Quinn College 
in Texas for six years and as Chairman of the Board for eight. During 
his years at Paul Quinn College, the school received accreditation from 
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and saw many 
new buildings, renovations and improvements.
  Bishop Adams next pastored the First AME Church in Seattle. His 
impact on the community was so great that both daily newspapers 
published editorials lamenting his departure. From Seattle, Bishop 
Adams went to Los Angeles where he pastored Grant AME in the Watts 
section of Los Angeles, known for the Watts riot. It was here that he 
created a Saturday morning Ethnic School to teach reading, writing and 
black pride without white hate. That Saturday morning school continues 
to function today. It was while in Los Angeles that Bishop Adams was 
elected the 87th Bishop of the African Methodism.
  Upon his election, Bishop Adams served the Tenth Episcopal District 
in Texas and later left his mark on the Second Episcopal District here 
in the Mid-Atlantic States. Under his leadership, 40 new congregations 
sprouted throughout the district. From here, he went to serve the Sixth 
Episcopal District in Georgia, and while there served as Chairman of 
the Board of Trustees for Morris Brown College, Turner Theological 
Seminary, Interdenominational Theological Center and the Atlanta 
University Center. He also served on the Centennial Olympic Committee.
  I am very proud that Bishop Adam's service has now called him to the 
Seventh Episcopal District in South Carolina to preside over the 
State's 609 AME churches. Although his work is far from over, he has 
made numerous improvements in the community in which we live. Under his 
Chairmanship, Allen University, one of seven historically Black 
Colleges and Universities in my district, has received its ten year 
accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. 
Enrollment at Allen continues to climb, and the campus is in perpetual 
renovation as an exciting building program has been launched. And if I 
might add Mr. Chairman, this body has played a significant role in that 
renaissance, having recently appropriated funds to begin the 
restoration of historic buildings on that campus. Under Bishop Adam's 
leadership, the Reid House of Christian Service in Charleston, has 
flourished and now includes the Adams Building which houses the only 
African American Adoption Center in South Carolina.

  Bishop Adams is a strong believer that people must join together to 
do what they cannot do alone. To that end, he has founded the Congress 
of National Black Churches, the Institute on Church Administration and 
Management in Atlanta, Georgia; the Richard Allen Service and 
Development Agency in Washington, D.C.; and the Educational Growth 
Organization in Los Angeles, California. He continues to serve on many 
boards and directorates, including the Interdenominational Theological 
Center, Institute on Church Administration and Management, Joint Center 
for Political Studies, Children's Defense Fund Black Community Crusade 
for Children, National Black United Fund, Industrial Area Foundation, 
National Urban League, and South Carolina's Palmetto Project.
  Bishop Adams has received many fitting honors and awards throughout 
his 25 years as Bishop. In 1996, he was awarded South Carolina's 
highest citizen honor, the Order of the Palmetto, in recognition of his 
contributions to the State. And last Saturday I joined with thousands 
of South Carolinians who met in Charleston to help celebrate his Golden 
Anniversary in the ministry and Silver Anniversary in the bishopric. 
That celebration, Mr. Speaker, defied the notion that a prophet is 
without honor in his own homeland.
  Although he has been called one of the ``most progressive black 
church leaders in history,'' Bishop Adams most important calling is 
that of his family. Bishop Adams and his wife, Dr. Dolly Desselle 
Adams, have been partners in the ministry for 41 years. They have three 
daughters and six grandchildren. Bishop Adams is referred to by many as 
the 3.5 million member AME denomination's ``most influential cleric.'' 
I am very proud to call him my friend.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me today in honoring Bishop John Hurst 
Adams whose spirit, belief, and kindness have moved communities to 
action across the nation. He is an excellent roll model, a valued 
friend, an outstanding leader and a great American.

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