[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 145 (Tuesday, October 13, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING REVEREND W.D. BROADWAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 13, 1998

  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, soon a remarkable man of faith will 
bid farewell after 13 years as CEO and executive director of INTERFAITH 
of The Woodlands, Texas. Our nation should take proud note of the 
inspiring life and the immeasurable contributions of the Rev. W.D. 
Broadway.
  A graduate of Schreiner Institute in Kerrville, Texas, Reverend 
Broadway earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Corpus 
Christi followed by bachelor and master of Divinity degrees from 
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
  After school Reverend Broadway was guided to the Texas communities of 
Rockport, Lancaster, Portland and The Woodlands, where in each he 
served as pastor of the Southern Baptist Church. With him were his most 
treasured blessings--wife Hugh Delle Manahan, daughter Jerene and son 
Mike.
  It was through his extraordinary leadership of INTERFAITH of The 
Woodlands that I proudly became one of his many friends and admirers. 
Although no one word can hope to illustrate this bountiful life to 
date, on reflection Reverend W.D. Broadway is, above all, a builder:
  A builder of spirit. In men and women, young and old alike, through 
the World of the Lord. As powerful and compelling in person as in the 
pulpit, Reverend Broadway frequently provided a crucial moral compass 
by smiling and announcing ``I feel a sermon coming on * * *.''
  A builder of houses of worship. Under Reverend Broadway's stewardship 
fourteen building programs were launched in the churches he ministered. 
His hands and heart have been directed to serve as the fund raising 
consultant for another 67 churches--Methodist, Baptist, Nazarene and 
Presbyterian. Think a moment about that: What a remarkable seed Rev. 
Broadway has sown throughout this land, to so exalt the Lord by helping 
others attain their vision of constructing much-needed houses of faith.
  He is a builder of hope. This I know first hand. During the terrible 
Texas economic recession during the late 1980's, many families found 
themselves without jobs, without a means to feed their children or to 
meet their mortgage payments. In some disheartening instances, both 
parents suddenly found themselves without work, shattering years of 
hard earned hopes and dreams.
  Reverend Broadway and I worked together back then to create the 
Interfaith Training & Employment Project to help laid off workers find 
new jobs--to help them develop new skills and survive the emotional 
toll of financial uncertainty. Thankfully, the Private Industry Council 
of the Houston-Galveston Area Council supported the effort.
  Since 1987, under this astute and caring leadership, ITEP has helped 
24,112 people find new jobs and new hope. It has become one of the most 
successful job training partnerships in Texas. And it is due to the 
strength and vision of W.D. Broadway.
  He is a builder of the community. When Reverend Broadway was named 
1995 Citizen-of-the-Year for South Montgomery County, chamber of 
commerce Chairman Mike Karlins noted ``of the churches, community 
groups and residents listed in INTERFAITH's annual directory, few have 
not benefitted from his encouragement, compassion and service to our 
community. He and his army of volunteers have welcomed thousands to our 
community, watching over our children as we work, helping families get 
through tough situations, providing assistance in finding jobs and 
enriching the lives of our senior citizens.''
  Mr. Karlins also observed that Rev. Broadway ``is happiest and at his 
best when facing the challenges of planting and nurturing the seeds of 
our religious infrastructure.'' In times of crisis, ``his ability to 
marshall community resources was never more apparent than in the days 
following the devastating flood of the past year.''
  ``Above all, he loves this community and those in it. As a result, we 
are all better for it.''
  Soon Rev. Broadway will walk out the door of his INTERFAITH office 
for the last time to begin a well-earned retirement. To his friends and 
co-workers it seems unthinkable: a day at INTERFAITH without the kind 
eyes and broad smile that distinguish the ruddy countenance of ``W.D.''
  His wife of 47 years, Hugh Delle, remembers a long time neighbor in 
The Woodlands who once commented, ``W.D., you have INTERFAITH in your 
head.'' Rev. Broadway quickly replied, ``I like to think I have it in 
my heart.''
  Humble and at heart a servant of the Lord, W.D. will surely be 
embarrassed by this tribute--even more so if all of his amazing 
accomplishments, service to the community and national professional 
leadership positions were identified. In total or in part, his 
contributions are testament to a life dedicated to living the Gospel 
and forging the good works of the Lord here on earth.
  Reverend W.D. Broadway is truly a builder--of love, inspiration, 
grace and compassion. As a community and as a nation, we are better for 
it.

                          ____________________