[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 137 (Tuesday, October 12, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2071-E2072]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO DR. D. JAMES KENNEDY, A TRUE CHRISTIAN STATESMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. WALTER B. JONES

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 12, 1999

  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, it is clear when reading 
both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United 
States, that our Founding Fathers recognized the important role that 
God and the Bible would play in guiding our Nation's leaders who 
governed the world. Today, it is becoming clear that the Judeo-
Christian principles this nation was founded upon are as critical to 
the future progress and stability of this nation as they have been in 
the past. In fact, the 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. 
Grant, emphasized the important relationship between the Bible and the 
freedom that you and I enjoy today. He said, (and I quote) ``Hold fast 
to the Bible as the sheet anchor of your liberties; write its precepts 
on your heart and practice them in your lives. To the influence of this 
Book we are indebted for the progress made, and to this we must look as 
our guide in the future.''
  Mr. Speaker, there is a man of Christian faith, a leader within our 
society today who is working to remind you and I to keep this same 
spirit of faith and freedom alive. That man is Dr. D. James Kennedy, a 
true Christian statesman. Mr. Speaker, when I was elected in 1994 to 
represent the citizens of Eastern North Carolina, Dr. Kennedy presented 
every newly elected Member with a copy of the New Geneva study Bible. 
In the front cover is a note stating his hope that we would read and 
apply the messages we found in the scripture to our work and our daily 
lives--just as Ulysses Grant proposed. Mr. Speaker, I begin and end 
each day on my knees in prayer. I pray for guidance in the decisions I 
make that affect the American people. In the last 5 years, I have often 
reached for the Bible that Dr. Kennedy gave to me for inspiration, 
encouragement, and a sense of hope.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Kennedy embodies the ideal of Christian 
statesmanship. In fact, he has dedicated his life to celebrate and 
share God's word. In 1959, he became the founding pastor of the Coral 
Ridge Presbyterian Church in Florida. This year, as the church 
celebrates its 40th anniversary, Dr. Kennedy is the most widely 
listened-to Presbyterian minister in the world. His broadcast messages 
are televised to 35,000 cities and towns across the United States. But 
Dr. Kennedy's commitment to evangelism and strengthening our nation's 
communities extends well beyond his role as senior minister to Coral 
Ridge Church. In 1962, he created a lay-witnessing program called 
Evangelism Explosion International, which is used in every nation to 
encourage growth in congregations around the world.
  Dr. Kennedy also founded the Westminster Academy in 1971 to provide 
quality Christian education for the citizens of Fort Lauderdale, 
Florida. In addition, he started Knox Theological Seminary in 1990, 
which now offers courses in the United States as well as in Seoul, 
Korea. Mr. Speaker, last fall I had the unique opportunity to 
participate and see first hand, Dr. Kennedy's efforts to encourage and 
motivate people of faith. Coral Ridge Ministries is the television and 
radio outreach of Dr. Kennedy's word, which this year celebrates its 
25th anniversary. One of the television programs his ministry airs is 
called ``The Power of One.'' The program recognizes individuals in our 
Nation's communities who are working to promote Christian values. One 
such person is Rebecca Mason, a 10-year old girl from the Third 
District of North Carolina, which I am proud to represent. Rebecca 
became frustrated with the state of our country after learning some 
frightening facts about the rate of crime and violence in our Nation's 
neighborhoods. Rebecca could not understand why

[[Page E2072]]

more people of faith were not taking action, so she decided to do 
something about it. She created a petition for Christian values, 
calling upon all Americans to stand up and take action to promote and 
preserve the morals and values we learn from the Bible. Rebecca's 
efforts were featured on Dr. Kennedy's ``Power of One'' program. As a 
man of strong religious conviction myself and as Rebecca's Congressman, 
I was asked to participate in the program. It was an honor for me to be 
part of a television program that recognizes the citizens who are 
taking action to make their communities and their nation stronger. In 
fact, it reminded me of one of my favorite Bible verses from Isaiah 
book 6, verse 8. It says, ``Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying 
Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send 
me.''
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Kennedy, like Rebecca Mason, has answered God's 
call, and he has devoted his life to serving as a messenger of God's 
word. Today, I am proud to recognize his efforts during this exciting 
year of celebration to show my respect for his devotion and his 
commitment to spread the message of hope to all America. Thank you Dr. 
Kennedy, for reminding those of us who serve the American people--and 
all citizens--that faith and freedom go hand in hand. Happy 
anniversary. May God continue to Bless you and give you the strength to 
continue sharing His message with the world.

                          ____________________