[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 64 (Friday, May 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E836-E837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN RECOGNITION OF REVEREND HOMER DEWITT WILLIAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 2002

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Reverend Homer D. Williams, 
on the occasion of his retirement from his pastoral duties at Blueridge 
United Methodist Church located in Houston, Texas. In recognition of 
his hard work and dedication to Blueridge United Methodist Church, the 
congregation is hosting a Roast n' Toast at the Jesse H. Jones 
Conference Center on May 24, 2002.
  A native Houstonian, Reverend Williams graduated from Jack Yates 
Senior High School before receiving his B.A. in Sociology from Texas 
Southern University, where he graduated Cum-Laude. While attending 
Texas Southern University, Reverend Williams received several accolades 
and honors including, Who's Who of American Colleges and Universities 
and remained a permanent fixture on the Dean's List. Reverend Williams 
also received a Masters of Divinity degree from Perkins School of 
Theology at Southern Methodist

[[Page E837]]

University, an advanced five-year Conference Course of Study. He served 
the nation for four years of in the United States Navy and was 
honorably discharged in 1963.
  Reverend Williams has established a legacy by designing and 
implementing programs to enhance the education and spiritual needs of 
the youth in the Houston community. He believes that simple instruction 
and guidance from the church can make a huge difference in the lives of 
young people, leading him to serve on the Board of Directors of One 
Church-One Child; Advisory Committee of Sunnyside Multi-Purpose Center 
and Health Center; and the Prison Ministry-Innnerchange Freedom 
Initiative program, Jester II Unit, Sugarland Texas. Additionally, he 
has served on numerous boards and conferences, including the Board of 
Directors of the Wesley Foundation of Texas Southern University and the 
University of Houston; Conference Board of Stewardship; and the Finance 
Committee of Black Methodist for Church Renewal.
  In all that he has done, Reverend Williams has remained very active 
in the United Methodist Church (UMC) at the state level, having served 
in State Conferences for the past 27 years under six appointments. His 
prior appointments include, Adkins Memorial UMC; East Hempstead 
Circuit, Harper UMC; St. Thomas UMC; Shaw Tabernacle; St. Andrews UMC; 
and Blueridge UMC where he has served 12 years. In honor of his 
dedication to successfully cultivating and building spiritual 
foundations throughout the State of Texas, Reverend Williams was 
ordained Deacon in 1989 at the UMC Annual Conference and then Elder in 
1997.
  Mr. Speaker, Reverend Williams has been a leader in our community and 
I congratulate him on providing 28 years of service within the United 
Methodist Church and for his successful spiritual guidance to many.

                          ____________________