[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 117 (Friday, September 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1703]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              A TRIBUTE TO REV. DR. V. SIMPSON TURNER, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 23, 2004

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Dr. V. Simpson Turner, Sr. 
for the 39th anniversary of his pastoral leadership and spiritual 
guidance of the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church and the Brooklyn Commununity.
  Dr. Turner earned his Bachelor's Degree at Gordon College, Wenham, 
Massachusetts; a Master's of Religious Education at Biblical Seminary 
of New York City; a Master's of Sacred Theology at New York Theological 
Seminary; and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University School 
of Theology in Administration. He is married to Laura B. Turner, an 
outstanding educator and a New York State Certified Secondary School 
Principal. They have two children: Reverend Vivian R. Pittman and 
Reverend V. Simpson Turner, Jr., both of whom are ordained ministers at 
the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church; son-in-law, Deacon/Trustee Jerald 
Pittman; daughter-in-law, Lady Selena Turner; grandchildren, Kenya and 
Nathan Botley, Jerald Ali Pittman, Joelle Pittman, V. Simpson Turner 
III and Seteena Eliza Laura Turner; and great grandchildren, Rasaun 
Botley and Vivian Botley.
  Dr. Turner has been active in numerous civic and charitable 
organizations. He has served on the Board of Trustees for Gordon 
College, the Baptist Home for the Elderly, the Brooklyn Public Library, 
and Baptist Medical Center. He has served as the Chairman of the 
Department of Communications for the Council of Churches in New York 
City and as a former president of the North American Baptist Fellowship 
of the Baptist World Alliance and the Baptist Minister's Conference of 
Greater New York. He was also a former member of the Board of Directors 
for Religion in American Life, a former member of the Brooklyn Borough 
President's Community Board #3, and was elected to the Board of 
Directors of the New York Bible Society in New York City in 1990. More 
recently, in June 2002, Dr. Turner was elected Secretary of the 7,000 
members Hampton University Minister's Conference. Finally, he was an 
Adjunct Professor on Urban Concerns at Alliance Theological Seminary in 
New York.
  For his efforts, Dr. Turner has been honored by many community groups 
including the City of New York; the Bureau of Child Welfare; the United 
Builders Association; the Boy Scouts of America; and the YMCA. The 
Governor of New York appointed him to the New York State Commission on 
Health Education and Illness Prevention. In 1990, Dr. Turner was 
appointed Chairman of the Billy Graham Crusade in New York City where 
the Great Lawn in Central Park held the largest crowd ever to attend a 
Billy Graham meeting in North America. Also, in the spring of 1990, as 
editor of the Baptist Progress, Dr. Turner received the Martin Luther 
King, Jr. Award for meritorious service in writing.
  Dr. Turner produces and directs a weekly radio show known as ``The 
Black Religious Experience'' as well as a public affairs Cable TV 
program known as ``The Public Wants To Know.'' He is the author of 
``Compassion for the City,'' which is used throughout the country as a 
textbook for those going into urban ministry. Dr. Turner has been 
instrumental in implementing several important community programs and 
resources such as a Homework Center, a High School Equivalency Program, 
a referral service to New York City Technical College, a Senior 
Services and handicapped Bus Ministry, a Radio Ministry, a Shut-In and 
Outreach Ministry, a Carillons Ministry, a ``Sing, Spell, Read and 
Write'' Educational Ministry, and a Soup Kitchen Ministry. Several 
college graduates began their college careers at Mt. Carmel as part of 
the then NYC Community College extension, which Dr. Turner helped to 
operate.
  On January 4, 2004, Dr. Turner celebrated his 39th Anniversary as 
Pastor of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York. He had a 
vision to combine his church and an apartment building into a Church 
and Educational complex. In the spring of 1993, Dr. Turner realized his 
vision of building affordable housing. Today, the 78 units, known as 
the Mt. Carmel Town Houses are occupied by new homeowners.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. V. Simpson Turner, Sr. has been a tireless advocate 
for his community and a spiritual leader for 39 years at Mt. Carmel 
Baptist Church. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our 
recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this 
truly remarkable person.

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