[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 100 (Wednesday, July 18, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1364]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         IN HONOR OF REVEREND THOMAS C. McKINLEY'S ACHIEVEMENTS

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                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 18, 2001

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate an 
individual who found his spiritual calling, and was able to overcome 
many obstacles to help his community and to make life better for the 
citizens of Indiana's First Congressional District. Reverend Thomas C. 
McKinley of Gary, Indiana will be honored this Friday, July 20, 2001, 
at the Twentieth Century Missionary Baptist Church for earning his 
diploma of academic achievement from the State of Indiana.
  Thomas C. McKinley came from a humble background and endured a 
troubled youth. However, his life was changed forever at the age of 17, 
when McKinley acknowledged his calling to the ministry. On October 15, 
1980, he was ordained by the Indiana Christian Bible College. For the 
past ten years, Reverend McKinley has served as the spiritual shepherd 
for the Twentieth Century Missionary Baptist Church, located at 700 
West 11th Avenue in Gary, Indiana.
  Reverend McKinley has proven himself to be a selfless example to his 
congregation. He has been invaluable to the members of his community as 
both a teacher and evangelist, and particularly through his teaching 
ministry for stewardship. While a wonderful pastor, Reverend McKinley's 
leadership skills do not end with the spiritual realm; he has served as 
President of the Baptist Ministers' Conference of Gary, and as 
Treasurer of the Gary Police Chaplain Department.
  While Reverend McKinley has selflessly served his community in Gary, 
his service to humanity has known no boundaries. In 1999, he spent a 
month in Honduras, completing two pilgrimages aiding hurricane victims 
with food, clothing, and medicine. Not only did he donate his own time 
and resources, he also organized other churches back home to assist 
many other Hondurans in need. His desire to help those overseas also 
led Reverend McKinley to serve as a missionary in Haiti.
  Although Reverend McKinley gives much of his time to others, he is 
still a devoted family man. Nothing is more important to him than his 
supportive and beloved wife, Camellia, and his three daughters, 
Charletta, Charlotte, and Sabrina, and his son Russell.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me 
in congratulating Reverend Thomas C. McKinley for his commendable 
efforts towards improving himself, his family, his community, and the 
world. Reverend McKinley is to be admired for the wonderful example he 
has set for our community as a pastor, a father, and an involved 
citizen.

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