[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1905]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 A TRIBUTE TO PASTOR JACOB N. UNDERWOOD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 16, 2002

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Pastor Jacob N. 
Underwood, Sr. for instigating many innovative programs to help the 
ones in need within his community.
  Pastor Underwood answered the call to the Christian ministry in 1960. 
In 1962, he was ordained a Baptist minister at the Holy Sacred Baptist 
Church in Brooklyn, New York. He began to evangelize in the community 
doing outreach and persistently seeking unity of his community. He had 
a vision of a church in the community that would teach ``God's Plan of 
Salvation'' and relating this plan to the needs of the total person.
  Encouraged by his church and family's support, he organized what is 
currently Grace Baptist Church of Christ, located in the East New York 
section of Brooklyn. He also organized the Grace Housing Development 
Fund Inc., from which the church sponsored community housing which was 
built in 1972 to accommodate 168 families.
  He has contributed to his community in several aspects by serving on 
local, state, and national committees. He has served on the local 
school board, and on the East New York Civil Rights Committee. Pastor 
Underwood was also the first elected Chairman of East New York 
Community Cooperation, and President of the New York Progressive State 
Congress.
  He also twice served as Moderator of the N.Y.M.B.A.; as Chairman of 
the Brownsville/East New York Clergy Association, as President of the 
New York Progressive State Convention from 1992-1995, as Corresponding 
Secretary of the Presidents' Department of the Progressive National 
Baptist Convention and he served as the President of the African 
American Clergy and Elected officials of Brooklyn from 1998 to 2000.
  Pastor Underwood has also contributed by sponsoring housing and food 
programs in East New York. He was able to feed and provide clothing to 
125 people in need by establishing a soup kitchen. In 1973, he 
instituted one of the first day care centers in East New York. Today, 
his vision has been expanded to an elementary and junior high school 
that currently serves approximately 300 students.
  In 1995, Pastor Underwood led the church in a $1.5 million bond drive 
to enlarge the Grace Baptist Church of Christ with 12 multipurpose 
rooms for the benefit of the school and church. In order to increase 
the educational facilities to accommodate at least an additional 100 
students, Pastor Underwood is presently leading the way for a $2.5 
million drive.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Pastor Jacob 
N. Underwood, Sr. for his leadership and contribution to his community. 
Pastor Underwood is a Doer of the Word. For over four decades, he has 
served as a preacher, teacher, leader, brother, mentor, friend, 
comforter, advocate, counselor, and innovator. His endeavors and 
accomplishments deserve our praise and appreciation.

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