[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 20, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S6516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

              THE RETIREMENT OF REVEREND EDDIE K. EDWARDS

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I want to pay tribute to a 
remarkable person from my home State of Michigan, the Reverend Eddie K. 
Edwards, who celebrates his retirement as CEO of Joy of Jesus, Inc. on 
Friday, June 22. Reverend Edwards, has received national acclamations, 
for having developed and implemented a strategy that served to 
revitalize the Ravendale Community, one of Detroit's most distressed 
and underserved areas. He has embodied the work of his ministry and 
fulfilled his mission of providing positive direction and opportunities 
for those in need of such guidance.
  In 1976, Reverend Edwards established Joy of Jesus, Inc. a nonprofit 
organizations which set as its primary goal, the task of promoting 
positive values and healthy lifestyles as a means to help 
underprivileged youth become responsible citizens who can make a 
meaningful contribution to society. For this work, he has received 
national attention: a Points of Light Award and was featured in a 
national award-winning TV documentary entitled, ``A Neighborhood 
Redeemed.'' Reverend Edwards serves on the board of numerous community 
and civic organizations, all of which he devotes an inordinate amount 
of time. He is in frequent demand as a speaker on the topics of church 
empowerment, collaboration of churches, neighborhood revitalization, 
and various other community issues. He has repeatedly demonstrated his 
expertise is developing non-traditional partnerships and collaboratives 
which have had significant impact on his community and in particular, 
the lives of our younger generation. And, in spite of his commitment 
and involvement in community, he is a devoted husband and father of six 
adult children.
  I can only hope that in Reverend Edward's retirement he finds future 
endeavors are as successful and fulfilling as the previous ones. For 
certain, he will remain active in his many church and community 
activities, but will have more time to dedicate to his favorite 
hobbies--golfing and jogging. I am pleased to join his colleagues and 
friends in offering my thanks for all he has accomplished in making his 
community a better place.
  Reverend Eddie K. Edwards can take pride in his long career of 
service and dedication to Church, Community and Family. I invite my 
colleagues to join me in saluting Reverend Edwards' work, and in 
wishing him well in the years ahead.

                          ____________________