[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 119 (Thursday, September 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CONGRESSMAN KILDEE HONORS REV. JAMES E. WALKER, JR.

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                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 10, 1998

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to rise before you 
today to recognize the achievements of Reverend James E. Walker, Jr., 
of Flint Michigan. On Saturday, September 12, the congregation of 
Flint's Faith Gospel Temple Church of God in Christ will honor Reverend 
Walker for the many contributions he has made over the last 25 years to 
both City and State in the name of the Lord.
  It is difficult to imagine what the Flint community would be like 
today had Reverend Walker not been called to become Pastor of Faith 
Gospel Temple. Born in 1949, to the Minister James Walker, Sr. and Iola 
Walker, Pastor Walker's dedication to the Lord began at the young age 
of 4, as a mandolin player in his family's traveling Evangelist band. 
The years later found the elder James Walker founding the Faith Gospel 
Temple in Saginaw, Michigan, in 1971. It was only fitting that the 
first service of the new church was the wedding of his son to the 
former Tonya Etoile Blythe.
  It was in May of 1972, following a severe automobile accident that 
left his father paralyzed from the neck down, James announced to his 
father his plans to enter the ministry. In September of 1972, Reverend 
James Walker, Jr. gave his first sermon at Faith Gospel Temple, and 
began a distinguished career of spiritual guidance, most notably his 
appointment as Superintendent of Peace for the District of Northeast 
Michigan. In this role, which he has maintained for more than 14 years, 
he oversees and provides advice and insight to four churches in the 
Flint and Saginaw area. Many have benefitted greatly from Pastor 
Walker's work in the community, as well as the state.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I ask you and my fellow 
members of the 105th Congress to join me in saluting Pastor James 
Walker, Jr. Self evident is his lifelong journey to enhancing the 
dignity and nurturing the spirits of all people I am grateful that 
there are people like that serve as examples of what Americans should 
strive to be.

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