[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 93 (Tuesday, July 14, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1285-E1286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF GREATER COOPER AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION 
                         CHURCH IN WEST OAKLAND

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 14, 1998

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to 
congratulate the Greater Cooper African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church 
on its 100th anniversary of missionary and community involvement in 
West Oakland held July 11, 1998. The church, which in 1897 had its 
humble beginnings on Campbell Street, moved to Union Street in 1929 and 
is presently located since 1940 at 1429 Myrtle Street, one block west 
of Market Street amongst the beautiful Victorians of Old Oakland.
  Many Bay Area residents will recall the years during and after World 
War II when Greater Cooper's membership grew to more than 500 as many 
servicemen passing through the area made Cooper Zion their church home. 
In the 1950's and 1960's, under the leadership of Rev. G. Lynwood 
Fauntleroy, Greater Cooper shared a music and radio ministry. Fond 
memories come with thoughts of their renowned Cathedral Choir, which 
graced the airwaves with their melodious renditions of anthems and 
spirituals.
  Through the years this fine church has reached out to all segments of 
the community through summer youth programs, childcare centers, senior 
citizens' programs, food ministries for the less fortunate, and a 
mentoring program for young boys.
  The current pastor, the Reverend John A. Harrison, Jr., has the honor 
of heading this centennial celebration. Since November of 1997, the 
Greater Cooper has sponsored

[[Page E1286]]

workshops, praise and worship services, and other ongoing activities to 
pronounce their joy in being blessed with such a long and rich history.
  Together with the Greater Cooper A.M.E. Zion Church, I salute the 
great multitude of lay persons, those great men and women of Zion whose 
faith, prayers, and courage have sustained the church through economic 
struggles, and have helped to secure a permanent place of worship for 
its posterity.
  It is significant that our community recognizes an important stable 
partner in our society that provides for the betterment and improvement 
in the quality of life, not only for its members, but the community and 
neighborhood they are situated. The Greater Cooper A.M.E. Zion Church 
has been that stable pillar and encouraged by its leadership and 
members, and it will continue to be a relevant contributor in the 21st 
century.

                          ____________________