[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 41 (Thursday, April 2, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF REVEREND DOCTOR C. WILLIAM BLACK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 1, 1998

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of Texas' great 
contemporary leaders, the Reverend Doctor C. William Black. On Sunday, 
May 1, 1998, Dr. Black will officially end nearly 50 years of pastoral 
service to the Mount Zion First Baptist Church in San Antonio. He is a 
living testament to the dictum that ``one man can make a difference;'' 
he has made a great and positive difference to his church and to the 
entire community he serves.
  Dr. Black is an icon, a preacher with a fiery delivery and a mission 
of positive change. Neither his mission nor his ministry ends inside 
the four walls of the historic church building. Dr. Black has taken his 
message out into the community to lift up the broken hearted and to 
proclaim the fundamental equality and liberty of all persons.
  An African-American born in San Antonio in 1916, Dr. Black learned at 
an early age that his inalienable right to liberty had not yet become a 
living reality. He began his quest for freedom for those trapped in 
post Civil War segregation. The harsh laws of a ``separate but equal'' 
society greatly restricted opportunities for African Americans. Even in 
those dark days of overt discrimination, Dr. Black earned great 
respect. In his role as minister, he served as the preacher, the civil 
rights leader, the business leader, and the community leader.
  Dr. Black lives up to the high expectations of his community and 
congregation. He is well educated. He holds a masters degree and two 
honorary doctoral degrees. He is an Alamo Community College Foundation 
Board Member and a founder of San Antonio Mothers` Service 
Organization. Dr. Black initiated this organization, over 50 years ago, 
to raise money for scholarships to give to deserving students who were 
not likely to be recognized for their scholastic achievements in a 
segregated society. He founded the Mount Zion Day Care Center in 1957 
in early recognition of the need for quality child care.
  Despite racism, he gained a seat on the San Antonio City Council and 
served with great distinction. While at that post Dr. Black 
distinguished himself as the first African American Mayor Pro Tem. The 
Eastside Y.M.C.A., the Carver Cultural Center, and the Eastside Boys 
and Girls Club continue to thrive today thanks to his successful 
battles many years ago. The Eastside Multi-Purpose Center, part of 
Saint Paul Square, and a street near his church bear the name of this 
vibrant leader.
  In his role as business leader, Dr. Black organized the Mount Zion 
Federal Credit Union giving his congregation and members of the 
community access to alternative offerings for automobile loans, other 
types of loans, and various financial transactions. His concern for the 
housing needs of his community led Dr. Black to acquire financing for 
the building of the Mount Zion Sheltering Arms Senior Citizen Complex. 
In 1984, he organized the New Community builders, a non-profit housing 
corporation.
  Reflecting on Dr. Black`s years of leadership and accomplishments I 
know that his wife ZerNona was always there for him, as a friend, 
sounding board, consoler and mother of their two children. Ms. ZerNona 
Black is the epitome of King Solomon's words about the treasured wife. 
I admire her quiet strength of character, and celebrate with her the 
many accomplishments she made possible.
  We need more leaders like Dr. and Mrs. Black who showed with their 
actions, and not just their words, how to be good citizens. We need 
leaders like them who display integrity while forging more paths to 
accessible education, housing, and economic mobility. We look forward 
to their continuing mission as drum majors of positive change, 
understanding, and creativity showing us the way of making our 
community a better place to live.

                          ____________________