[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 57 (Wednesday, May 8, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H2167-H2168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           PASTOR TOM MULLINS

  (Mr. FOLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to introduce and welcome 
Senior Pastor Tom Mullins to the United States House of Representatives 
this morning.
  Senior Pastor Mullins is the founder of Christ Fellowship, an 
evangelical 14,000-member church in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. This 
nondenominational evangelical Christian church has grown from about 140 
people to 14,000 people under Pastor Mullins' guidance.
  Pastor Mullins left a successful career as a football coach and 
athletic director to start the church. He was a well-respected coach at 
Palm Beach Gardens High School in the 1970s and at Georgetown College 
in Kentucky before becoming athletic director at Palm Beach Community 
College in Lake Worth. He started the church in 1984 while still 
working at the college, and has been there ever since.
  In addition, Pastor Mullins and his wife, Donna, who joins us today 
in the gallery with their daughter, Noelle, are the founders of the 
Place of Hope International, which sends food and clothing around the 
world, from Peru to India. They work locally in our County of Palm 
Beach distributing food baskets to the poor and sending thousands of 
gifts during the holiday season to people in need.
  A well-respected member of our community, Pastor Mullins is an 
advocate for citizen involvement in the political process, for being 
good stewards of our Nation's heritage, and a strong supporter of 
President Bush's faith-based initiative.

[[Page H2168]]

  Again, it is my great honor to welcome Pastor Mullins.
  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. FOLEY. I yield to the gentleman from Florida.
  (Mr. SHAW asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  I would like to add my welcome to Pastor Mullins. It is an honor to 
have him here today.
  Mr. Speaker, today we welcome Pastor Tom Mullins of Christ Fellowship 
church in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida as House Chaplain. Pastor Mullins 
joins a distinguished list of clergy, who have opened our daily 
proceeding with prayer, including Rev. Billy Graham and the late John 
Cardinal O'Connor.
  Also, I am pleased to welcome Pastor Mullins' wife, Donna, and 
daughter, Noelle.
  For 18 years and counting, Pastor Mullins serves the 14,000 member 
Christ Fellowship church as it senior pastor. As senior pastor, Tom 
commits himself to his faith, family and community.
  On April 29, 1984, Tom and Donna, founded Place of Hope children's 
home for neglected and abused children throughout the Palm Beach 
community. Pastor Mullins also has a desire to aid neglected children 
around the world through his support and work with Place of Hope 
International, which places children in supportive, loving homes around 
the world from India to Peru.
  Tom's work with children even includes a successful high school and 
collegiate career as a head football coach.
  Whether as a pastor or coach, Pastor Mullins has a strong desire in 
nurturing young men and women throughout the communities of Palm Beach 
county.
  Mr. Speaker, Pastor Tom Mullins is a tremendous leader in the South 
Florida community, and it's my privilege to welcome him and his family 
to the United States House of Representatives as our guest Chaplain.
  Mr. FOLEY. Again, Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor that Pastor 
Mullins agreed to come to Washington and deliver the morning prayer.

                          ____________________