[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 11, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO REV. DR. GEORGE E. McRAE ON HIS ELECTION AS PRESIDENT OF THE 
                   FLORIDA GENERAL BAPTIST CONVENTION

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                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 11, 2003

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I know that my colleagues will join 
me in offering our prayerful best wishes and congratulations to the 
Reverend Dr. George E. McRae of Miami, Florida, my Pastor and the 
Pastor of Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church, on the occasion of his 
election as the new President of the Florida General Baptist 
Convention.
  Reverend McRae is perhaps uniquely qualified, by both education and 
experience, to carry out this important responsibility. He earned his 
Bachelor's degree at Bethune-Cookman College at Daytona Beach; His 
Master of Divinity degree at the Interdenominational Theological Center 
in Atlanta; and his Doctor of Ministry degree at Columbia Theological 
Seminary in Atlanta. In addition to his fourteen years as Pastor of 
Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. McRae has served as Pastor 
of Shiloh Baptist Church in Daytona Beach; and the Bethlehem Baptist 
Church and the New Mount Zion Baptist Church, both in Palatka.
  Reverend McRae has received numerous awards for his work, including 
the NAACP's Humanitarian Award and the Miami Herald's Charles Whited 
Spirit of Excellence Award, and he has lectured extensively. He was 
also featured in a front page article in the Wall Street Journal, which 
chronicled his work at Mount Tabor and the establishment of 
M.O.V.E.R.S. Inc.--Minorities Overcoming The Virus Through Education, 
Responsibility and Spirituality--which provides comprehensive 
treatment, education, counseling and housing assistance to AIDS victims 
and their families in low-income Miami neighborhoods.
  In addition to these great achievements, though, Pastor McRae's 
highest qualification as leader of Florida's Baptist faithful must 
truly be the strength of his commitment to Christ's teachings, as 
exemplified by the caring and humanity of his ministry.
  He is a person of great personal power whose very presence cheers 
those who are afflicted. He is a person of great vision who inspires 
people to help other people--from caring for the hungry in the church 
basement after Sunday services to making health care available, in 
their own neighborhoods, to people who otherwise could not afford 
health care, even if they had access to it. He is a person who has 
devoted a lifetime of energy and creativity to the betterment of 
others.
  I extend my best wishes to Pastor McRae and his wife, Mary, for the 
sacrifices they have made to help others, for their caring and their 
leadership, and for taking on this additional burden and 
responsibility, which is so important to our families and our 
community.

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