[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 133 (Thursday, November 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2032]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO REVEREND DR. LEAH GASKIN FITCHUE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 17, 2004

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of 
Representatives to join me as I rise to acknowledge the accomplishments 
of the Reverend Dr. Leah Gaskin Fitchue.
  Dr. Fitchue is the first woman to serve as President of Payne 
Theological Seminary, a 160 year old institution sponsored by the 
African Methodist Episcopal Church. She is the first African American 
woman president of the 244 Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and 
the first woman to serve as president of any historically black 
theological seminary.
  As Dr. Fitchue is inaugurated, I am pleased that all her efforts have 
led to this most deserving position. It was my pleasure to know this 
promising young woman when she was an outstanding student at South Side 
High School (currently Malcolm X. Shabazz) in Newark, New Jersey where 
I served as faculty member. Dr. Fitchue was active in community and 
civic organizations and among her achievements was placing 15st in the 
NAACP Youth Council's Annual Oratorical Contest. Over the years, Dr. 
Fitchue has returned to Newark to visit her mother and to participate 
in various community events. We still count her as a Newarker.
  A published author and a poet, Dr. Fitchue holds degrees from Rutgers 
University, the University of Michigan, Princeton Theological Seminary 
and Harvard University. Her motto for Payne Theological Seminary, ``So 
High A Mission, So Holy A Calling'' taken from founder Daniel Alexander 
Payne, depicts an ethos that centers on educating leaders in African 
American Studies, Biblical Studies, Historical Studies, Theological 
Studies, Practical Ministry and Supervised Ministry.
  Dr. Fitchue's civic, community, professional and social affiliations 
include Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; Founding Board member of New Jersey 
Coalition of 100 Black Women; Links, Inc.; Minority Arts Resource 
Council (MARC); Christian Community Development Association (CCDA); 
Sojourners; Call to Renewal; Association of Urban Theological Education 
and Ministry (AUTEM); Board of Regents for Northwest Graduate School of 
Ministry and International Urban Associates; American Academy of 
Religion and the Society for the Study of Black Religion.
  Mr. Speaker, I am sure my colleagues will agree that Dr. Fitchue's 
historical election was well deserved and that she will serve Payne 
Theological Seminary well as its President.

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