[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 105 (Monday, July 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1461]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE FOUNTAIN OF PRAISE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 26, 2002

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the members of the 
congregation of the Fountain of Praise, of the South Post Oak Baptist 
Church in Houston, Texas, for celebrating the dedication of their new 
church facility on July 28, 2002. The Fountain of Praise family has 
been a pillar of the community, effectively ministering to its members 
for more than four decades.
  South Post Oak Baptist Church was organized October 4, 1959 as a 
separate entity of Almeda Baptist Church and was incorporated in 1961. 
From its humble beginnings, the church has been a viable point of 
spiritual reference for the community. Under the leadership of Rev. 
Remus E. Wright, the membership of the church has grown rapidly, from 
300 in 1991 to more than 6,500 members in eleven years, making it the 
fastest growing church in southwest Texas.
  In 1998, South Post Oak Baptist Church purchased 19 acres of land in 
preparation of their next phase of ministry. The new facility will 
accommodate more than 2,400 parishioners per service and will host a 
number of programs aimed at developing a strong spiritual foundation 
for its members and visiting guests.
  In 2000, the members of South Post Oak adopted the name, the 
Foundation of Praise as a reflection of their commitment to God and 
their love of worship. The Church's focus has been on building stronger 
the families; the responsibilities of men; fulfilling the needs of our 
senior citizens; and uplifting youth. The Foundation of Praise is a 
catalytic force, which seeks to empower both its members and the 
surrounding community through numerous ministries, and community 
service projects, such as, capital improvement projects, food drives, 
and neighborhood cleanups. In the wake of one of Texas' most 
devastating natural disasters, the Fountain of Praise family opened its 
doors to their neighbors who fell victim to Tropical Storm Allison. 
Without hesitation they allowed the church facilities to become a 
satellite office of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure 
that area residents devastated by the event could get the relief they 
needed. Other times the church has opened its doors for the community's 
use such as the many town hall meetings my office has conducted. The 
tremendous strength of Rev. Wright and South Post Oak's leadership over 
the years is a testimony to the success of their efforts to address the 
needs of the congregation and surrounding community.
  Mr. Speaker, it has been said that a congregation is only as 
effective as its leader, the Foundation of Praise serves as a symbol of 
strength in the Greater Houston community, under the leadership of Rev. 
Remus Wright. Rev. Wright has proven to be one of the most dynamic 
young preachers in Houston, who will leave a long legacy in the 
development of Southwest Houston in the name of his congregation and 
his faith. Since its beginnings four decades ago through the last 10 
years of unprecedented growth, the Fountain of Praise should be 
commended for its dedication to God and commitment to the needs of its 
congregation and surrounding community.

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