[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 90 (Friday, June 25, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO BISHOP VERNON RANDOLPH BYRD

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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 
Vernon Randolph Byrd, one of eight legendary leaders of the African 
Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) who will be retiring at this year 
Quadrennial Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. A native of South 
Carolina, Bishop Byrd received a public school education. After 
graduating from Bell Street High School, he enrolled at Allen 
University, where he received the Bachelor of Arts degree. He later 
received a Master of Sacred Theology degree from Boston University.
  Called to preach at the age of 12, Bishop Byrd was licensed to preach 
at the age of 17. His ministry included pastorates at Macedonia AME 
Church in Seaford, Delaware (1954-1959); St. Paul AME Church in 
Hamilton, Bermuda (1959-1966); and Macedonia AME Church in Camden, New 
Jersey (1979-1984). He also served as Presiding Elder of the Newark 
District from 1966-1967.
  Bishop Byrd was elected the 105th Bishop of the African Methodist 
Episcopal Church at 1984 General Conference and was assigned the 14th 
Episcopal District. He initiated numerous projects under his 
administration--one in particular was the Frank Curtis Cummings Health 
Clinic, which was built in Monrovia, Liberia.
  During his tenure he presided over the 16th, 13th, and 5th Episcopal 
Districts, where his mission continued to be saving souls for the 
building of God's kingdom. His motto is ``Unless souls are saved, 
nothing is saved!'' Bishop Byrd holds memberships in the NAACP, Phi 
Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and the Royal Lodge of Scotland.
  Bishop Byrd is married to Theora Lindsey Byrd. They are the parents 
of four.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in paying tribute 
to Bishop Vernon Randolph Byrd upon his retirement from the Bishopric. 
He has provided tremendous leadership for the AME Church, and 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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