[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 18, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E505]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO REVEREND DR. THOMAS J. RITTER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT A. BRADY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 18, 2003

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge 
Reverend Dr. Thomas J. Ritter, whose contributions to Philadelphia have 
been multi-faceted and unparalleled.
  Beyond being a community activist, builder, and leader, Reverend 
Ritter has served his congregation with the commitment of a dedicated 
and loving father for 45 years. Reverend Ritter built the Second 
Macedonia Baptist Church from a small house with six members to a large 
worship center with over a thousand members with 27 ministries.
  Reverend Ritter's wide scope of dedication to Philadelphia spans more 
than the religious spectrum. He has been very instrumental in the 
development of many of Philadelphia's new major business centers. 
Reverend Ritter served as the first executive director of the 
Opportunities Industrialization Center, an organization which has 
assisted over 75 urban communities throughout the United States and the 
world. Additionally, he sits on the board of directors of the 
Philadelphia Martin Luther King Association for Nonviolence, chairs 
Philadelphia's Human Relations Commission, and has established a 
community-based volunteer self-help organization called ``Giving of 
Self Partnership.'' The list of charitable endeavors that Reverend 
Ritter is involved in are innumerable.
  It is a privilege to recognize a person whose dedicated leadership 
has enriched the lives of countless individuals in both my district and 
the nation. I hope that all of my distinguished colleagues will join me 
in honoring Reverend Dr. Thomas J. Ritter.

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