[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 135 (Wednesday, October 10, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1840]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO PASTOR JIM ORTIZ

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GRACE F. NAPOLITANO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 10, 2001

  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, in commemoration of Pastor Appreciation 
Day, I rise to honor Pastor Jim Ortiz, senior pastor at ``My Friend's 
House'' an Assembly of God congregation in Whittier, CA. Having served 
his congregation for 29 years, Pastor Jim dedicated himself to 
improving the lives of people throughout the 34th Congressional 
District of California. It is because of his commitment and exemplary 
service to his congregation and to the community that I want to take 
this opportunity to pay tribute to this extraordinary man.
  Born to Puerto Rican parents and a native of New York City, Pastor 
Jim moved to California with his family and attended Hueneme High 
School in Oxnard. In 1973, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 
Biblical Studies and Sociology from Vanguard University (the former 
Southern California College) and completed graduate studies at Fuller 
Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. He is currently pursuing a Master 
of Divinity degree at the C.P. Haggard School of theology at Azusa 
Pacific University.
  Pastor Jim is a model constituent full of kindness, sincerity and 
dedicated service. His congregation, ``My Friend's House'' was founded 
in 1971, with the help of his wife Yollie. Their mission is to preach 
the gospel in a way that it improves people's lives and positively 
impacts the surrounding community. Under Jim and Yollie's guidance, 
``My Friend's House'' has grown to an average weekly attendance of more 
than 400 people including a large number of young Latino families. 
Their success helped to spawn three sister congregations in various 
parts of California. Pastor Jim, whose unique style of communication, 
is both creative and appealing, allows him to capture listener's 
attention. His uplifting message is born out of his deep conviction 
that the gospel of Jesus Christ can transform lives and change society 
for the better. His exemplary lifestyle inspires others to live a life 
of charity, humility and compassion.
  Pastor Jim's countless contributions to the community have touched 
the lives of many. He established Metro Impact, Inc., a community 
development corporation consisting of eight ministries dealing with 
evangelical propagation, economic development, social service and 
community outreach. Among the various services that Metro Impact offers 
are, an after school drop-in center for youth, a summer day camp for 
children, a free computer learning facility and a family enrichment 
center. Metro Impact also has programs that provide food, recreation 
and housing for low-income families.
  At 52 years of age, Pastor Jim is the longest tenured Pastor in the 
Southern California District Council of the Assemblies of God and also 
happens to be the youngest. He has devoted most of his life to serving 
the community and improving the lives of people and families from all 
over Southern California's 34th Congressional District. Please join me 
in honoring Pastor Jim Ortiz for all of his hard work and dedication to 
his family, congregation and community. He is an example of the best in 
all of us.

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