[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 90 (Friday, June 25, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO BISHOP HAMEL HARTFORD BROOKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                         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 Hamel 
Hartford Brookins one of eight legendary leaders of the African 
Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church who will be retiring at this year's 
Quadrennial Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.
  Bishop Brookins was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi. He received a 
Bachelor of Arts degree from Wilberforce University in Ohio and a 
Bachelor of Divinity degree from Payne Seminary.
  Prior to his election to the bishopric, Bishop Brookins pastored 
First AME Church in Los Angeles, California leading them through the 
building of a multi-million dollar cathedral. He also served as the 
first black president of the Wichita Ministerial Alliance. Bishop 
Brookins worked in the world of politics as manager and advisor helping 
to elect Thomas Bradley as Mayor of Los Angeles. He also served as 
president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) 
Western Region, and as vice president of Operation PUSH. Further, 
Bishop Brookins founded the Martin Luther King Student Fund, organized 
the first Interfaith Service at the Hollywood Bowl, and also lead the 
Primary Convention to elect the first black city councilman and Second 
Convention to elect the first black school board member.
  Elected at the 1972 General Conference held in Dallas, Texas, Bishop 
Brookins was assigned to the 17th Episcopal District. He was inspired 
by the people's struggle for freedom, and became an active participant 
in their cause. As a consequence, Bishop Brookins was barred from 
Rhodesia in 1975. He participated in the 6th Pan African World Congress 
in 1974. Bishop Brookins also served and revitalized the 5th Episcopal 
District by purchasing and building new churches, sending ministers to 
organize new churches in Southern California, and establishing an 
Economic Development Fund for the District. Bishop Brookins also served 
in the 2nd, 12th, and 13th Episcopal Districts, and is a past 
Ecumenical Officer.
  Bishop Brookins is married to Rosalyn Kyle Brookins and they have 
three children.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in paying 
tribute to Bishop Hamel Hartford Brookins upon his retirement from the 
Bishopric. He has provided tremendous leadership for the AME Church and 
his long history of religious and political service and leadership will 
influence generations for many years to come.

                          ____________________