[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 121 (Friday, September 5, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1699-E1700]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATIONS TO TREE OF LIFE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH IN GARY, IN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 4, 2003

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. It is with great honor and enthusiasm that I 
congratulate the Tree of Life Missionary Baptist Church in Gary, 
Indiana, as they celebrate their 24th anniversary. During the month of 
September, Tree of Life Missionary Baptist Church will be celebrating 
their anniversary on three different occasions. The celebration will 
kick off on September 6 with a balloon release and a barbeque, followed 
by a banquet on September 12, and a culmination of the anniversary 
celebration on September 21.
  The vision of Tree of Life Missionary Baptist Church began on July 
23,1979 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Ervin, along with Reverend 
Cato Brooks and many others. In August of 1979, the church was 
organized as the Tree of Life Mission and worship began with Reverend 
James Barnett, Jr., and Greater Harvest Missionary Baptist Church. Then 
in September of 1979, the Tree of Life Mission became the Tree of Life 
Missionary Baptist Church and incorporated a council of various 
religious ministers from other local churches. When the doors opened to 
the new church, 28 parishioners came together in worship service, and 
shortly after Rev. Brooks was named Pastor.
  Tree of Life quickly grew in numbers and began to reach out to the 
community by constructing an alcohol and drug addiction program through 
the Alcohol Center at St. Mary's Mercy Hospital. The church and Rev. 
Brooks were strong initiators for the New Beginning AA program in the 
community as well as the West 11th Avenue AA program. In June of 1984, 
Rev. Brooks appointed Rev. Hunter Griffin, III as the church's Jail and 
Outreach Minister, and he reached out to over 650 inmates through 
prayer services at the Lake County Jail in Crown Point, Indiana.
  On February 5, 1991, the Tree of Life Missionary Baptist Church 
received high commendation from the City of Gary for all of its efforts 
to serve, educate, and support the local community. In July of 1991, 
the Southern Baptist State Convention Home Mission Board awarded the 
Tree of Life with a certificate of outstanding performance in Christian 
Service.

[[Page E1700]]

  After years of hard work and commitment to the community and church, 
Rev. and Mrs. Cato Brooks and the members of Tree of Life started the 
Tree of Life Community Development Corporation and Care Center. This 
center is a spiritual approach to healing and helping the residents of 
Gary and Northwest Indiana, which began through the establishment of 
their first two programs: the Rehabilitation of Housing under the 
Homeless Initiative and Transitional Housing. New programs were later 
added and include the 21st Century Parents Program, the Misguided Youth 
and First Offenders Program, and the Homeless Initiative Programs.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues, 
join me in honoring and congratulating Tree of Life Missionary Baptist 
Church on their 24th anniversary. They have given selflessly to the 
Gary community, as well as all of Northwest Indiana, and will continue 
to serve and support all members of the community through their 
gracious dedication and commitment.

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