[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 11, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE RIGHT REVEREND JOHN HURST ADAMS AND HIS WIFE, DR. DOLLY 
                             DESSELLE ADAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 11, 2004

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, to appropriately 
honor the Right Reverend John Hurst Adams and his beloved wife, Dr. 
Dolly Desselle Adams, upon his retirement as the Senior Bishop of the 
African Methodist Episcopal Church's Eleventh Episcopal District which 
comprises the state of Florida and the Bahamas. I'd like to submit for 
the Record the following letter to the St. Mark African Methodist 
Episcopal Church.
  Again, the people of Dallas join me in saluting Bishop John Hurst and 
Dr. Dolly Adams, and wishing them Godspeed.

     The Bishop John Hurst Adams Celebration Committee,
     Attention: The Reverend Doctor Samuel L. Green, Sr., St. Mark 
         African Methodist Episcopal Church, Orlando, Florida.
       Dear Celebration Committee: I congratulate the Right 
     Reverend John Hurst Adams, and his beloved wife, Dr. Dolly 
     Desselle Adams, upon his retirement as the Senior Bishop of 
     the African Methodist Episcopal Church's Eleventh Episcopal 
     District comprising the state of Florida and the Bahamas.
       As a minister of the AME Church, as a preacher of the 
     Gospel, and as an educator, Bishop Adams has served both the 
     community of God and the community of man. Credited with 
     initiating 70 congregations, Bishop Adams is a modern-day 
     apostle. Because the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, Bishop 
     Adams has played an instrumental role in transforming the 
     souls and the minds of untold thousands.
       From 1972 until 1980, the Right Reverend Adams served as 
     the Presiding Bishop of the Tenth Episcopal District, which 
     comprises the entire state of Texas. In this capacity, he 
     devoted all of his energies to ministering to the spiritual, 
     intellectual, physical and emotional needs of parishioners, 
     converts, churchgoers, the un-churched, the lost, and 
     those on the edge of the church.
       The citizens of Dallas are forever indebted to Bishop Adams 
     and Dr. Adams for their leadership of Paul Quinn College and 
     their stewardship of the venerable institution of higher 
     education located in Dallas. As its President from 1956-1962, 
     the Right Reverend John Hurst Adams put his distinctive touch 
     on the college.
       During his helmsmanship as the Chairman of the Board of 
     Trustees at Paul Quinn College, he raised it to the highest 
     Heights of excellence. The college, which was founded in 1872 
     by the African Methodist Episcopal Church, was doubly blessed 
     by the presence of the Adamses on its campus.
       As the Dean of Students at Paul Quinn College, Dr. Dolly 
     Adams not only changed the lives of students, she also 
     changed the lives of all around her. This veteran educator 
     served in the Woman's Missionary Society for nearly three 
     decades. Dr. Adams supervised the Tenth Episcopal District of 
     Texas. She also served as the National President of Links, 
     Inc. and was accordingly named one of the ``100 Most 
     Influential Black Americans'' by Ebony magazine.
       It is an understatement to say that Bishop Adams and Dr. 
     Adams will be greatly missed. Our lives are richer and our 
     hopes are brighter because of their contributions. This godly 
     couple has served as a source of inspiration for others.
       Each of them has given their ``utmost for His Highest.'' 
     The couple can truly say as the Apostle Paul famously said, 
     ``I have fought a good fight, 1 have finished my course, I 
     have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a 
     crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, 
     shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all 
     them also that love his appearing.''
       Although they are retiring from active ministry, they will 
     not recede from our memories. I will enter an official 
     statement into the Congressional Record highlighting his 
     lifelong accomplishments of Bishop John Hurst Adams and 
     honoring his retirement. Once it is printed, I will be happy 
     to forward you a copy to your attention. Again, the people of 
     Dallas join me in saluting Bishop John Hurst and Dr. Dolly 
     Adams, and wishing them Godspeed.
           Sincerely,
     Eddie Bernice Johnson.

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