[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 155 (Friday, November 5, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2277-E2278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       THE REV. RONALD J. FOWLER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM SAWYER

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 4, 1999

  Mr. SAWYER. Mr. Speaker, for over 30 years, The Rev. Ronald J. Fowler 
has served with distinction as the Senior Pastor of the Arlington 
Church of God in my hometown of Akron, OH. When he assumed that 
position in January 1969, Ron Fowler knew that he had a difficult act 
to follow--the 23-year tenure of his father, The Rev. Robert L. Fowler.
  Ron Fowler has done his father, his congregation, and our community 
proud.
  Under his leadership, the Arlington Church of God has grown in 
membership and ministries. This growth has twice necessitated the 
building of new worship and educational facilities.
  But Ron Fowler does more than attend to his congregation and preach 
the Gospel. Both in his public and private roles, he lives the Gospel, 
committing himself to meet the ever-growing needs of his congregation 
and our community.
  His dedication and devotion to serving the needs of the community led 
him to spearhead the establishment of the Independent Living Facilities 
for Seniors, now known as A.H.O.P.E.S.
  His commitment to education resulted in the creation of both the Irma 
Jones Preschool and Infant Center, and the Arlington Christian Academy. 
That same commitment was evident as Ron Fowler served on the Akron 
Board of Education, exercising community-wide education leadership, 
from 1988 to 1995, including two years as Board President.
  But most notably, Ron has been a vocal and forceful advocate and 
champion of racial reconciliation throughout the community and the 
nation. For more than 10 years, his mostly African-American church has 
worked hand-in-hand with The Chapel, a predominantly white church, in 
the Allies race relations program. That powerful personal resolve was 
evident for all the Nation to see two years ago when President Clinton 
held his first Town Hall Meeting on Race in Akron.
  In one of his sermons, Ron Fowler spoke of an ``unquenchable fire'' 
that shapes lives. ``Passion,'' he said, ``is not something we are born 
with. It is something acquired. Whatever the route by which we acquire 
it, the fire that burns daily within our bosom reveals much about our 
character and understanding of what our mission in life is.''
  There is no question that Ron Fowler has that fire.
  He is the living embodiment of his own challenge to `` Press on'' and 
``Take hold of the faith that gives all of us tomorrow.''
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of our community, let me offer congratulations 
to Ron and Joyce Fowler and their family on 30 years of service through 
the Arlington Church of God. They have touched and enriched countless 
lives in their congregation and throughout our community. We are deeply 
grateful for their service and for their indelible example to the 
Nation.

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