[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 152 (Tuesday, November 2, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H11345]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO REVEREND DR. C.J. BROOKS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to an 
American citizen of humble origin who developed himself into a scholar, 
a great preacher, an inspirational leader, a person who was a developer 
of people, as well as a builder of institutions.
  The Reverend Dr. C.J. Brooks was born in Monticello, Arkansas, on 
February 1, 1934. Being an only child and living in rural America, he 
developed a great relationship with his dog and other creatures of the 
animal world.
  As young Cleodus grew up in a Christian home, he developed an early 
interest in preaching and often practiced on his dog and the other 
animals who followed him around.
  Cleodus attended the Drew County High School at the age of 17, 
realized that he wanted to spend the rest of his life preaching and 
teaching the gospel. He was licensed and ordained that same year.
  After high school, he attended the Morris Booker Memorial College in 
Dermott, Arkansas, which is about two blocks from my father's home and 
where my father continues to work, although he is 88 years old, and he 
never misses a day from going there to do his volunteer work.
  He also attended the Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock, the 
University of Heidelberg, in Heidelberg, Germany, where he served in 
the Air Force from 1954 to 1957.
  Upon his return, Reverend Brooks attended Arkansas A.M. & N College 
in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where he earned his bachelor of arts degree 
and graduated in 1961.
  I might add that Cleodus and I were classmates and he was the 
president of our freshman class.
  Before coming to the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, 
Reverend Brooks held pastorates at the Sunset Baptist Church in 
Texarkana, Texas; Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Warren, Arkansas; Rosehill 
Baptist Church, Dermott, Arkansas; and the New Hope Baptist Church, at 
Chicasaw Plantation in McGhee, Arkansas.
  In addition to leading and guiding the Shiloh Baptist Church from 
1969 to his death in 1999, Reverend Brooks was an instructor for the 
Illinois Baptist General State Congress of Christian Education, 
instructor for the Greater New Era District Baptist Association, 
Parliamentarian of the parent body of the Illinois Baptist State 
Convention from 1990 to 1999, and treasurer of the Greater New Era 
District Association.
  During his 30-year tenure at Shiloh Baptist Church in Chicago, 
Reverend Brooks developed a reputation for being an astute and creative 
leader. Under his tutelage, the church moved into a new facility, paid 
off all of its mortgages, developed the Board of Christian Education 
Ministries, instituted a full service missionary department, a weekly 
food and clothing ministry, a young people's department, and he 
personally served as mentor to many young persons, several of whom 
followed him into the ministry.
  On March 25, 1991, the Shiloh Baptist Church Board of Christian 
Education conferred upon him the Doctor of Divinity Honorary Degree.
  Yes, C.J. Brooks, born in rural Arkansas, went from the back roads to 
the high roads, became a tremendous scholar, great teacher, one of the 
first leaders that I ever knew, the leader of our freshman class in 
college, and he continued to lead the rest of his life.
  C.J., it was a pleasure knowing you. You have done yourself and your 
family extremely well. I say may you rest in peace and may the memory 
of your being always rest with your wife, Carrie, and the members of 
your church.

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