[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 89 (Thursday, June 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO BISHOP FRANK CURTIS CUMMINGS

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                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 23, 2004

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Bishop Frank 
Curtis Cummings, one of eight legendary leaders of the African 
Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) who will be retiring at this year's 
Quadrennial Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. A native of Alabama, 
Bishop Cummings is the son of Edmond and Annie M. Cummings.
  He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Daniel Payne College, a 
Bachelor of Arts degree from Seattle Pacific College, and a Doctor of 
Divinity degree from Shorter College. Bishop Cummings followed not only 
God's call but also his country's call and served in the United States 
Air Force for three years, and attended the Urban Training Center.
  Bishop Cummings was ordained an Itinerant Deacon in 1948 and an 
Itinerant Elder in 1952. While in those positions, he pastored churches 
in Aldridge, Alabama; Bremerton, Washington; Santa Barbara, California; 
and St. Louis, Missouri.
  In 1968, he was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the AME's Department 
of Church Expansion. He founded Allen Travel Service and served as the 
first Black Vice Chairman on the Civil Service Commission in St. Louis. 
In addition, he served as President of the Board of Directors for the 
West End Hospital Association.
  Bishop Cummings was elected the 95th Bishop of the African Methodist 
Episcopal Church at the 1976 General Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. He 
has presided over the 8th, 1st, 11th, and 6th Episcopal Districts, and 
entertained the General Conference in New Orleans. He also served as 
national co-chairman of the first National Assemble of Black Churches 
in April 1984 in New Orleans. Bishop Cummings is married to Martha 
Colly Cummings and the couple has one child.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in paying tribute 
to Bishop Frank Curtis Cummings upon his retirement from the Bishopric. 
He has provided tremendous leadership for the AME Church. His long 
history of educational leadership and service will influence future 
generations for ages to come. AME founder Richard Allen would be deeply 
proud of his Episcopal descendent.

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