[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 91 (Thursday, June 24, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H4882-H4883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING NEW PSALMIST BAPTIST CHURCH ON ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize significant 
events that occurred 100 years ago, in the year of 1899.
  A century ago our Nation was engaged in the Philippine-American War 
and ending the Spanish-American War. Two great literary works were 
being created by two of the few African-American authors, Booker T. 
Washington's Up From Slavery and W.E.B. DuBois' The Philadelphia Negro. 
Two automobile empires would begin to prosper, with the entrance of 
Henry Ford and David Buick into the industry; and Duke Ellington and 
Ernest Hemingway, and, most significantly, New Psalmist Baptist Church 
of Baltimore City were born.
  As we reflect 100 years later on this rich history, it is my honor 
and privilege to congratulate my pastor, Dr. Walter Scott Thomas, and 
my New Psalmist Baptist Church family on our 100th anniversary to be 
celebrated this week. What a blessing for our church celebration to be 
a part of a centennial anniversary of so many momentous events in our 
Nation's history.
  From its meager beginnings in an alley, New Psalmist was guided by 
Reverend Junius Gray, its founder and visionary leader. From its home 
at Riggs Avenue and Woodyear Street to North and Druid Hill Avenues in 
Baltimore, Reverend Frederick Atkins took the reins and preserved the 
traditions and spirit of the church.
  Over the years, New Psalmist Baptist Church has flourished, expanding 
from a membership of 5 to more than 5,000. Under the illustrious 
leadership of its current pastor, Dr. Walter Scott Thomas, the church 
has done the following:
  Birthed 13 ministers; founded a fully accredited Christian school, 
grades pre-K through 5; an education ministry; establish a 3-year 
discipleship program; launched two radio broadcasts aired throughout 
the Mid-Atlantic region and a television ministry aired twice weekly; 
and established several outreach ministries, including those focused on 
seniors, youth, health and prison.
  I was especially honored to welcome our Nation's top leader, 
President Bill Clinton, to our church on November 1, 1998.
  Mr. Speaker, 100 years after the birth of New Psalmist, our Nation 
has also made tremendous strides. Our Nation has fought and won 
numerous wars and strives to encourage the principles of democracy 
worldwide.

  African-American literature, movies and music have infiltrated 
American

[[Page H4883]]

culture and have become widely recognized by the mainstream. The 
automobile industry has developed battery-operated and electric motor 
vehicles, and there are 39 African-Americans that have been elected to 
serve as Members of the United States House of Representatives.
  Even with all of these changes, albeit positive, it is still good to 
know that some things do remain the same. New Psalmist remains a key 
cornerstone of spiritual leadership to my home district of Baltimore 
and to the Nation, as well as a source of inspirational outreach and 
education.
  Pastor Thomas, associate ministers, officers and members have carried 
on a legacy of selfless dedication and commitment to the greater 
Baltimore community. Not only are souls being saved, but lives are 
being revitalized and uplifted. Members are educating Baltimore's 
youth, assisting in getting people to work, and ensuring that citizens 
are getting appropriate health care. In other words, the church is 
helping real people with real-life issues.
  Walking in faith and working together for good, New Psalmist has 
provided leadership and strength to families, men, women and children, 
searching for a church home. Personally, Pastor Thomas and the members 
have had a profound impact and have been a constant source of strength 
in my life and that of my family's, and it is good to have my minister 
and my church to call upon in good and tough times.
  So it is today that I applaud New Psalmist on its continued spiritual 
tradition and congratulate Pastor Walter Scott Thomas and my church 
family on its 100th anniversary.

                          ____________________