[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 90 (Friday, June 25, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO BISHOP JOHN HURST ADAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                         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 John 
Hurst Adams, one of eight legendary leaders of the African Methodist 
Episcopal (AME) Church who will be retiring at this year's Quadrennial 
Conference in Indianapolis, IN.
  Bishop Adams was born in Columbia, SC, where he now lives after years 
of serving congregations and communities across our Nation. He grew up 
in the Waverly neighborhood of Columbia, which is located in the Sixth 
Congressional District which I proudly represent in this august body. 
He attended Waverly Elementary School, Booker T. Washington High School 
and John C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC. Bishop Adams continued 
his education at the Boston University School of Theology, Harvard 
School of Divinity, and Union Theological Seminary.
  Bishop Adams began his ministry with a small congregation in Lynn, 
MA. He taught at Payne Theological Seminary in Ohio and later served as 
President of Paul Quinn College in Texas for 6 years and as Chairman of 
the Board for 8. During his years at Paul Quinn College, the school 
received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and 
Schools (SACS) and saw many new building renovations and improvements.
  Bishop Adams next served as pastor at First AMEC in Seattle. From 
Seattle, Bishop Adams went to Los Angeles where he pastored Grant AMEC 
in the Watts section of Los Angeles. It was also in Los Angeles that 
Bishop Adams was elected the 87th Bishop of African Methodism.
  Upon his election, Bishop Adams served the Tenth Episcopal District 
in Texas and later left his mark on the Second Episcopal District in 
the Mid-Atlantic States. Under his leadership, 40 new congregations 
sprouted throughout the district. From there, he served the Sixth 
Episcopal District in Georgia where he served as Chairman of the Board 
of Trustees for Morris Brown College, Turner Theological Seminary, 
Interdenominational Theological Center and the Atlanta University 
Center. He also served on the Centennial Olympic Committee.
  I was very proud when Bishop Adam's service called him to the Seventh 
Episcopal District in South Carolina, in 1992, to serve over the 
State's 609 AME churches. He arrived in South Carolina just in time to 
play a pivotal role in my election to this body. Bishop Adams currently 
serves the Eleventh Episcopal District, encompassing Florida and the 
Bahamas.
  Bishop Adams is a strong believer that people must join together to 
do what they cannot do alone. To that end, he has founded the Congress 
of National Black Churches, the Institute on Church Administration and 
Management in Atlanta, Georgia; the Richard Allen Service and 
Development Agency in Washington, DC; and the Educational Growth 
Organization in Los Angeles, CA. He continues to serve on many Boards 
including that of the Interdenominational Theological Center, Institute 
on Church Administration and Management, Joint Center for Political 
Studies, Children's Defense Fund Black Community Crusade for Children, 
National Black United Fund, Industrial Area Foundation, National Urban 
League, and the Palmetto Project.
  Bishop Adams has received many fitting honors and awards throughout 
his 25 years as Bishop. In 1996, he was awarded South Carolina's 
highest citizen honor, the Order of the Palmetto, in recognition of his 
contributions to the State.
  Bishop Adams is married to his partner in the ministry, Dr. Dolly 
Adams of New Orleans, Louisiana. They have three daughters and five 
grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me today in honoring 
Bishop John Hurst Adams whose spirit, belief, and kindness have moved 
communities to action across the Nation. He is a roll model, a friend, 
an outstanding leader and a great American. His retirement from the 
Bishopric creates a void that will be hard to fill.

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