[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1936]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 A TRIBUTE TO REV. JERRYE GRAY CHAMPION

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 17, 2002

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give honor and praise to the 
National President of Church Women United, USA, the Reverend Jerrye 
Gray Champion.
  Rev. Champion is one of the most learned and accomplished women to 
ever hold this position within the Church Women United organization. An 
Associate Pastor with Tanner African Methodist Episcopal Church in 
Phoenix, Arizona, she holds not only a Masters in Theology from Fuller 
Theological Seminary but also masters degrees in library science and 
public administration as well as a B.A. in English and Speech and a 
doctoral certification in Clinical Pastoral Education. As a certified 
clinical chaplain, Rev. Champion holds specialties in numerous trauma 
and intensive care areas. She is also credentialed in pastoral, 
spiritual, and bereavement counseling; spirituality and healing; and 
biomedical ethics. Before entering the ordained ministry, the Reverend 
had careers in education, public policy and corporate administration. 
In the 1970's and the 1980's, she directed the Scottsdale Public 
Library and also served for six years in the cabinet of former Arizona 
Governor Bruce Babbitt.
  Rev. Champion has served at the local, state, area, conference 
branch, district, national and connectional levels in Church Women 
United and the Women's Missionary Society of the African Methodist 
Episcopal Church. She has been continuously active in these 
organizations throughout her entire adult life. As the eldest of five 
children born to The Rev. Dr. Alfred David Gray and Valerie Geeston 
Gray, and a third generation minister, her church activism should come 
as no surprise. As Rev. Champion has said in describing her own 
ministry, ``my love of God and ability to love God's people just as 
they are wherever they are in the experience of life is my strongest 
gift for ministry and leadership''.
  As a wife, mother and grandmother, Rev. Champion's ability to balance 
a busy career with her pastoral duties, organizational responsibilities 
and her family life make her a truly remarkable person. And she readily 
admits that her success is due to the genuine love and support that she 
has received from her family.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope you will join me in recognizing one of America's 
most gifted theologians and church leaders, the Reverend Jerrye Gray 
Champion.

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