[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 23, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN HONOR OF REVEREND DR. JOHN L. PRATT, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 23, 2002

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Reverend Dr. John L. 
Pratt, Sr. in recognition of his 25th Pastoral Anniversary.
  Reverend Dr. John L. Pratt, Sr. was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia. 
He graduated from Walker-Grant High School and attended Storer College 
in Harpers Ferry, WVA, where he majored in education. He went on to 
receive his graduate degree from the Bible Institute and American 
Divinity School also earning a B.A. Degree and Doctorate of Theology.
  When Rev. Dr. Pratt was elected pastor of Zion Shiloh Baptist Church, 
he told the congregation, ``I accept the challenge'' and he continues 
to ``accept the challenge'' as he remains there to this day. Rev. Dr. 
Pratt will quickly tell you that his greatest reward is working for the 
Lord. Among his many accomplishments since arriving at the Church, he 
has led his congregation to a new church building.
  In addition, to his work on behalf of the church, the wider church 
community has also recognized him. He is a past recording secretary for 
Progressive National Baptist Convention, past moderator of the New York 
Missionary Association, member of the Advisory Board of Community Board 
#2, member of Cumberland Community Board, past Secretary of Moderator's 
Department of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, member of 
the Hampton Ministers Conference Board, member of the Fort Greene 
Support and Rescue Group, Instructor for New York Missionary Baptist 
Association of Ministers and newly elected President of the Brooklyn 
Council of Churches and many others.
  Rev. Dr. Pratt is married to Mrs. Gertrude Pratt. They are blessed 
with two sons; Leo C. Pratt and John L. Pratt, Jr.; a daughter in law, 
Michelle and a loving grandson, Leo Sterling Pratt.
  Mr. Speaker, Rev. Dr. John L. Pratt, Sr. has been accepting the 
challenge as the pastor of Zion Shiloh Baptist Church for twenty-five 
years and is still telling everyone to ``Keep Praying, Caring, Loving 
and . . .'' for God answers all prayers. As such, he is more than 
worthy of receiving this recognition and I urge my colleagues to join 
me in honoring this truly remarkable man of God.

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