[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 53 (Wednesday, May 3, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E623]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING REVEREND WILLIAM HARGRAVE OF EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEVEN R. ROTHMAN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 3, 2000

  Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to Reverend William H. 
Hargrave, who retired last year as the pastor of Ebenezer Baptist 
Church in Englewood, NJ.
  As the former mayor of Englewood, NJ, I was witness to some of the 
many wonderful ways in which Reverend Hargrave lifted the spirit of his 
congregation and his community over a career that spanned three 
decades.
  During his tenure as pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church from 1973 to 
1999, Reverend Hargrave led his congregation with faith and great 
distinction. As an eyewitness to his work as a pastor, I want to make 
several observations about the Reverend's remarkable career.
  As a pastor, Reverend Hargrave had the great talent to bring people 
together-together in prayer and together to help build the spiritual 
foundation of his church. From his work with the youngest member of his 
congregation to the oldest, Reverend Hargrave had a gift that is the 
mark of any truly successful leader; he used his God-given power to 
unify people. Whether he was working with a member of his Board of 
Deacons or with the youngest member of the youth choir, Reverend 
Hargrave was able to unify people in pursuing a common goal. And for 
Reverend Hargrave, that goal was always in keeping with what was best 
for his congregation and what would most benefit the people of 
Englewood.
  I also want to convey my deep appreciation for the Reverend's 
foresight in paving the way for the future of Ebenezer Baptist Church. 
By being an integral part of the ``mortgage burning'' by helping 
oversee the purchase of the Hall House, and by acquiring a new church 
organ, the Reverend was moving to ensure that his church would prosper 
well into the 21st century.
  For the parishioners of his church, for the residents of Englewood, 
and for the people of the State of New Jersey, Reverend Hargrave's 
tenure at Ebenezer Baptist Church was indeed a fortunate and blessed 
time. A time of progress, a time of great faith, and an era where hope, 
spread by his good works, thrived.
  I wish Reverend Hargrave every happiness on the occasion of his 
retirement.

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