[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 14 (Tuesday, February 15, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO THE LATE REV. DR. ALBERT T. ROWAN

  (Mrs. JONES of Ohio asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Valentine's Day, in the 
Eleventh Congressional District of Ohio, we hosted the homegoing 
celebration of the Reverend Dr. Albert T. Rowan, one of the religious 
giants in the faith community and on the national level. Dr. Rowan had 
served as the pastor of Bethany Baptist Church, my church home, for 
more than 34 years.
  Dr. Rowan and his life partner and best friend, Mrs. Carrie Mae 
Rowan, were married for 52 years, the proud parents of five children, 
11 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. The homegoing ceremony 
was a joyous ceremony, exemplifying the happy lifestyle that Dr. Rowan 
lived.
  I was particularly blessed because Dr. Rowan had been my pastor since 
I was 13 years of age. He celebrated my high school, college and law 
school graduation, my marriage, my first election as a judge, the birth 
and christening of my son, and my subsequent elections as judge, 
prosecutor and Congresswoman. I will always remember how he encouraged 
me to keep going and how he fostered my growth as a Christian woman, 
wife, mother, and leader. I will always be deeply indebted to Dr. 
Rowan.
  The celebration was particularly moving because Reverend Dr. Stephen 
Rowan, the son of Dr. Albert T. Rowan, delivered the eulogy. What 
greater testament to a father, than to have his son eulogize his life.
  Seventy-two years ago, in Kansas City, Missouri a bright star entered 
into the lives of the family of Albert and Florence Rowan their son 
Albert T. Rowan. Throughout his life he would bring comfort and joy to 
those whose lives he touched.
  Dr. Albert T. Rowan was educated in the Kansas City public schools 
and held a Bachelor Degree in Religious Education and Theology, a 
Master of Divinity Degree in Pastoral Psychology and Counseling and the 
Doctor of Divinity Degree. For more than thirty-four years Rev. Rowan 
served as shepherd to the flock at Bethany Baptist Church. Under his 
prayerful leadership Bethany continued providing spiritual guidance to 
its expanding congregation and also developed new spiritual and 
community programming including: New Missionary Groups; 8:00 a.m. and 
10:45 a.m. worship services; Youth Seminars; a fast growing credit 
union; and a Head Start school.
  Rev. Rowan loved people. He had the ability to inspire diverse groups 
to work together for worthy causes. He worked in behalf of many 
organizations including: The Ministerial Head Start Assoc.; The 
National Baptist Convention; the Interchurch Council of Greater 
Cleveland; The Cleveland City Planning Commission; the Ohio State 
Martin Luther King Commission; and the Minority Organ Tissue Education 
program.
  From the pulpit Rev. Rowan often jokingly reminisced about his 
courtship and his marriage to his life partner and best friend, his 
bride of fifty-two years, Carrie Mae McBride Rowan. They were blessed 
with a large and loving family including their children and spouses: 
Richard and Virginia Rowan, Brenda and Larry Moore, Stephen and Cynthia 
Rowan, Allana and Elijah Wheeler, and Allan Christopher and Marshara 
Rowan; eleven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Rev. Rowan also 
had five sisters and brothers, two who predeceased him.
  Rev. Rowan was instrumental in shaping my life from the age of 13 
years. He played a major part in my development as a young person, as a 
parent and as a public figure. He kept me grounded and was always there 
for me. He will live on in my life because of who he helped me become, 
both personally and professional.
  On behalf of the Congress of the United States of America and the 
citizens of the 11th Congressional District, Ohio, I express our 
gratitude to Rev. Albert T. Rowan for all of his efforts to nourish the 
hearts and improve the lives of his fellow man. On behalf of my entire 
family I extend condolences and love to Mrs. Rowan, the family and 
friends.

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