[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 105 (Wednesday, September 8, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1550]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO EASTSIDE COMPASSIONATE MISSION, INC.

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                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 8, 2004

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to acknowledge the 
10th anniversary celebration of the Eastside Mission of Flint, 
Michigan, which took place on Friday, August 27, 2004, during their 
fourth annual back to school carnival.
  Pastor Bill Burdine and his wife Barbara established Eastside 
Compassionate Mission Center, Inc. in 1994. The mission is an 
independent ministry of the Eastern Michigan District of the Nazarene 
Church. Over the 10 years in operation, the mission has served a 
quarter million meals, and distributed several tons of food from its 
food pantry to the needy. Currently the mission has 1,594 households on 
their rolls and 426 infants registered. The mission is blessed to have 
a volunteer medical team that visits regularly to provide free health 
screenings, answer questions, take blood pressure, and make referrals 
and appointments. The mission also has an optometrist and chiropractor 
that visit and provide services as needed, also free of charge.
  The Eastside Mission is doing marvelous things in the name of our 
Lord. I commend Pastor and Mrs. Burdine for their leadership, hard work 
and unwavering dedication to sustain this ministry. Colossians 4: 14-15 
reads; ``And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond 
of perfectness.'' To that fact I also commend the volunteers who donate 
hours of their personal time and talent to assisting the less 
fortunate. The Burdines stated that they praise God for the victories 
however so few and they pray to God for a mighty harvest for their 
friends.
  Mr. Speaker, as a former seminarian, I truly understand the important 
role the Church plays in our lives, and as such, I am honored to have 
people such as Pastor Bill and Barbara Burdine in my district. Self-
evident is their lifelong commitment to enhancing the dignity and 
spirit of people, and our community is a better place thanks to their 
dedication to performing the Lord's work. I ask my colleagues in the 
108th Congress to please join me in wishing them another decade of 
success.

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