[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 54 (Friday, May 3, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E712]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO REV. DR. LOUIS RAWLS

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                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 2, 2002

  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to 
pay tribute to a dear friend, an extraordinary man, and a great pastor 
of great pastors--Rev. Dr. Louis Rawls, who passed away on Friday, 
April 26 of pneumonia. Rev. Rawls is truly one of Chicago's unsung 
heroes. His death will leave a deep void in our community.
  Rev. Louis Rawls dedicated his 97 years of life to his family, his 
church and service to his community. Born and raised in Johns, 
Mississippi, he was ordained and became pastor of Canaan Baptist Church 
in Chicago. In 1941, Rev. Rawls built the Tabernacle Missionary Baptist 
Church on the South Side of Chicago where he was pastor until his 
death.
  Rev. Rawls was a learned man, a visionary who believed that the 
church must play an active role in community development. As an active 
civic leader and trailblazer, Rev. Rawls sought to enhance his 
community by bringing to it goods and services. He founded the Willa 
Rawls Manor, a 121-unit living center for senior citizens and operated 
the Tabernacle Community Hospital and Health Center, the first black-
owned hospital at the time.
  Rev. Rawls also established the Brown-Rawls Funeral Home, a grocery 
store, a real estate and mortgage corporation, and a printing and 
publishing company. Rev. Rawls sat on the boards of a number of 
community and national groups, including the National Association of 
Evangelicals, Channel 38, Chicago Baptist Institute and Morehouse 
College in Atlanta.
  Rev. Rawls is survived by his wife, Willa, affectionately known as 
``Baby Rawls'', his sons Julius and Samuel, his foster son, Grammy 
award-winning singer Lou Rawls, and Donald and Jerry Poston, two boys 
who he raised and considered his sons.
  My fellow colleagues, please join me in honoring the memory of Rev. 
Dr. Louis Rawls, a true beacon of our Nation.

       ``The righteous cries out, and the Lord hears them; he 
     delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to 
     the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in 
     spirit.'' ( Psalm 34:17-18)

     

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