[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 21 (Thursday, March 5, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S1479]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO DR. WENDELL C. SOMERVILLE

 Mr. ROBB. Mr. President, I rise today to note the death of Dr. 
Wendell C. Somerville, who passed away on Sunday, December 28, 1997.
  Dr. Somerville served his nation in the United States Navy and, at 
the age of 27, received his call to preach. In 1927, he was ordained in 
the Mill Neck Baptist Church of Como, North Carolina, by a council 
consisting of representatives of seven churches. From that time until 
his death, he pastored the First Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, North 
Carolina and, in 1934, he served as the first full-time Executive 
Secretary for the General Baptist State Convention.
  By 1940, Dr. Somerville took on the assignment for which he is most 
remembered: Executive Secretary of the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign 
Mission Convention, an organization to which dozens of Virginia 
churches belong. He served with distinction in this position for more 
than 55 years when he was unanimously elected Executive Secretary-
Treasurer Emeritus, an office he held until his death. During his 
active tenure, he traveled extensively, making 28 trips aboard and one 
around the world where he met with foreign leaders in an effort to 
spread his positive message.
  We cherish his memory as his work touched the lives of men, women and 
youth alike. Mr. President, I commend to the United States Senate and 
to the American people the life and public service of Dr. Wendell C. 
Somerville.

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