[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 170 (Friday, November 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2379-E2380]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                A TRIBUTE TO REVEREND DR. JOHN L. GILES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 20, 2003

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of the Reverend Dr. John L. 
Giles in recognition of his pastoral anniversary.
  While Reverend Giles was born in the tiny town of Sanger, TX, located 
38 miles southwest of Fort Worth, he considers himself a native of San 
Francisco. It was during high school that he joined St. Kevin's 
Catholic Church and learned the Catholic discipline. He was also a 
member of Bethel A.M.E. Church. Upon graduating from Balboa High 
School, he had saved enough money to attend college and support 
himself. Through his hardships, he learned independence, 
responsibility, the importance of healthy living, and helping others 
and his family.

[[Page E2380]]

  Drafted in the Vietnam War, he spent 18 months in Friedberg, Germany 
where he earned the rank of sergeant in 15 months and he attended both 
Catholic and Protestant churches. He read the bible more and more and 
his favorite scriptures are Psalm 23, 27, and 121. In May 1997, Pastor 
Giles earned his doctorate in Holistic Ministry at the United 
Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH.
  Upon returning to San Francisco, he joined the Solid Rock M.B. Church 
and was baptized. In August 1970, he was accepted at the American 
Baptist Seminary of the West in Berkley, CA. He also attended Morehouse 
School of Religion and served briefly at Ebenezer Baptist Church in 
Atlanta as a youth minister under the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Sr. 
Additionally, he has served at First Baptist in LaGrange; First African 
Baptist, Bainbridge and the Beulah in Quitman. He served as Chaplain at 
the VA Medical Center in Bay Pines, FL and as pastor of New Hope M.B. 
Church until 1994. Presently, he is the Pastor of True Faith 
Inspirational Baptist Church in Tampa, FL.
  He is married to JoVanore Sims Giles, who serves as chairperson of 
the Deaconess Ministry and participates in the choir and other 
activities. They have two daughters, JoVanore Giles-Galbreath and Jenee 
Codallo-Nelson, and one son, Johnathan who is attending college at the 
School of the Holy Cross.
  Mr. Speaker, Reverend Dr. John L. Giles has honorably served our 
Nation in the armed services and has provided spiritual guidance and 
leadership to several parishes across the country. As such, he is more 
than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues 
to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

                          ____________________