[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 54 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E639]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING BISHOP WALTER EMILE BOGAN, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2000

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, today I honor one of Flint, Michigan's top 
citizens. On April 14, The Great Lakes Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of 
Michigan will perform a sacred and heartfelt ceremony, as they 
consecrate and install Bishop Walter Emile Bogan, Sr. as their 
Jurisdictional Bishop. Bishop Bogan, who pastors the Harris Memorial 
Church of God in Christ in Burton, Michigan, succeeds another great 
man, Bishop C.L. Anderson, Jr., who was called back to the Lord on 
September 15, 1999.
  Walter Emile Bogan has long been considered one of Flint's favorite 
sons. He was born in the city in 1948, the eldest sibling of William 
and Norma Bogan. During a youth revival conducted by his grandfather, 
Walter heard his first calling, and received baptism on August 27, 
1967. Two months later, he accepted his call to the ministry and became 
ordained in August 1969 by his late father-in-law and mentor, Bishop 
C.J. Johnson, Sr. He continued his studies at such institutions as 
Moody Bible Institute, Morehouse College, Charles Stewart Mott 
Community College, and the University of Michigan. He also began a 
career with the General Motors Corporation, becoming the first African-
American Journeyman Pipefitter for Chevrolet Metal Fabrication.
  In July of 1970, Bishop Bogan was appointed by Bishop J.O. Patterson, 
Sr. as International Assistant Chief Adjutant and Vice President of the 
International Youth Department for the Church of God in Christ. He has 
also served as District Superintendent of the Progressive District and 
Special Administrative Assistant to Bishop Anderson. The insight and 
guidance Bishop Bogan received from his experiences and from the 
associations with the elder Bishops that prepared him for the tasks 
that were to come. They also allowed him to become a stronger leader 
and role model, able to create as tremendous an impact as he had 
received.
  As Jurisdictional Bishop, Bishop Bogan will oversee approximately 50 
churches throughout Flint, Pontiac, Detroit, and other Michigan cities. 
Through this, he will affect thousands of people both inside and 
outside the churches under his care. He has already taken steps to 
further his agenda, which includes the development and nurturing of 
smaller congregations, assistance in creating new churches, an 
educational fund to help youth pursue higher education, and a support 
network for windows. In addition, Bishop Bogan plans to spread the 
Lord's message by feeding the hungry, provide shelter for the homeless, 
counsel the misguided, and much more.
  Mr. Speaker, our community would not be the same without the presence 
of Bishop Walter Emile Bogan, Sr. Just as I consider it an honor and a 
pleasure to serve here as a Member of Congress, he reaffirms that the 
church owes him nothing, for he also considers it a pleasure to serve. 
I know that our community, and now our extended community will become a 
better place to live in because of Bishop Bogan's spiritual mission. I 
am pleased to ask my colleagues in the 106th Congress to join me in 
congratulating him on his new endeavor.

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