[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E28]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO ALABAMA MISSIONARY DR. MARTHA C. MYERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TERRY EVERETT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 2003

  Mr. EVERETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the service and 
memory of a great American and a remarkable citizen of my State of 
Alabama, Dr. Martha C. Myers.
  On December 30, Dr. Myers and two others, William E. Koehn of Texas 
and Kathleen A. Gariety of Wisconsin, lost their lives in a terror 
attack aimed at them simply because they were American missionaries. 
All three were in Jibla, Yemen serving in a hospital for the poor run 
by the Southern Baptist Church.
  Like her colleagues, Dr. Myers was thoroughly devoted to serving the 
Lord and believed that her life should be spent doing His work 
regardless of personal risk. She loved treating and caring for the poor 
and labored in Yemen for 24 years before she lost her life.
  Americans and Christians are both a rarity in that remote Arab nation 
which has long been known for its lawlessness. Dr. Myers knew the 
danger that awaited her each day while serving in Yemen and yet she 
looked forward to her work as each day brought her closer to the Lord.
  Last weekend, a large memorial service was held at her home church, 
Dalraida Baptist, in Montgomery in my congressional district. So many 
family, friends and fellow Alabamians turned out to honor the testimony 
of this remarkable Christian. Perhaps the most striking example of Dr. 
Myer's walk for Christ was the attendance of Yemenis at another 
memorial service held for her last week in Jibla, a place she loved so 
much that she chose to be buried there.
  The Alabama Baptist newspaper reported that no less than 40,000 
gathered at the missionary hospital and lined the street to pay their 
respects for Dr. Myers and her colleagues. ``In a country where 
professing faith in Jesus Christ could result in death, mourners sang 
`He is Lord' in Arabic and recited the Lord's Prayer,'' the paper 
wrote.
  Our prayers go out to the families of Dr. Myers and her colleagues 
who died in service to their fellow man. They are a powerful example of 
true courage and sacrifice no matter what the cost to themselves.
  Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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