[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 2 (Thursday, January 6, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S62]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN RECOGNITION OF REVEREND GLORIA L. CHERRY'S RETIREMENT

 Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I rise today in recognition of the 
Reverend Gloria L. Cherry upon her retirement. Pastor Cherry has served 
the state of Delaware for countless years and her leadership over that 
span of time has won her the respect and gratitude of our entire state. 
She has been, and remains, a trusted friend.
  Pastor Cherry was born in New Church, VA, on July 3, 1935, to the 
late Marvin and Bertha Trader. She came to Delaware at a young age and 
attended Phillip C. Showell Elementary in Selbyville, DE, and received 
her high school education from Howard High in Wilmington, DE.
  Pastor Cherry is the wife of the late Christopher H. Cherry. The two 
met and were married in Delaware on May 1, 1976. Gloria is the proud 
and beloved mother of five children, Larry Robinson, Garry Robinson, 
Addie Merchant, Bertha Hardman and Lorri Jamison; eight grandchildren, 
Ryan, Rodney and David Robinson, Willie Hardman, III, Christopher and 
Bobbie Merchant and Winston, Shavon and Dionna Jamison and one great 
grandson, Ryan Robinson, Jr.
  Pastor Cherry was ordained in Spain in 1978 where she received her 
calling from God. She studied under Pastor Eliah Holland and became a 
licensed minister in 1980. In 1983, she founded the First United Church 
of Gospel Ministries which in 2004 was renamed the Healing Wings 
Christian Center.
  Pastor Cherry's service has extended far beyond the church and well 
into the community. Through the First United Church of Gospel 
Ministries, she, along with a group of concerned citizens met to 
discuss the challenges facing young people such as teenage pregnancy, 
substance abuse and discipline issues. As a result, the Because We 
Care, Inc. community-based organization was formed. Through a grant 
from the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their 
Families, Pastor Cherry founded the Because We Care Alternative Middle 
School in Dover, DE. The Because We Care Alternative Middle School is a 
nonprofit agency that provides continuing education to Kent County 
middle school children who have been expelled or are on the verge of 
expulsion. The Because We Care Alternative Middle School serves the 
five school districts located within Kent County, DE. The program 
focuses on learning skills, life skills, social competencies and 
substance abuse/resistance training. Her successes with young people 
are hailed by Superintendents, Principals and parents alike.
  By soliciting volunteers to act as caseworkers, mentors and activity 
aides, the youth are exposed to one-on-one relationships that routinely 
develop into long-time friendships. Pastor Cherry's philosophy is that 
children do not have discipline problems; they have `love' problems. 
Too many of them live in homes bereft of love. Pastor Cherry believes 
that providing a stable learning atmosphere along with the love that 
every child needs, children can make the turn to a more positive life 
with their families.
  In 1999, Pastor Cherry envisioned a homeless shelter for youths as a 
means of respite for parents and guardians who are struggling with 
employment and housing for their families. Through additional grants, 
donations, and blood, sweat and tears, her vision came to fruition 
through the building and leasing of `Glory Hall.' Glory Hall is a 
dormitory style living facility that houses 18 youths. The Hall is 
equipped with a classroom, full-service kitchen and cafeteria, activity 
area and bedrooms--all built through Pastor Cherry's devotion and love 
for young people. This year, Glory Hall has been leased to an 
organization called South West Keys, a Texas based organization with 
agencies throughout the United States. This organization provides 
shelter for immigrant children until they are reunited with family 
members here in the United States.
  Through Reverend Cherry's tireless efforts, she has made a profound 
difference in the lives of thousands of Delawareans. Upon her 
retirement, she will leave behind a legacy of commitment to public 
service for both her children and grandchildren and for the rest of us 
to follow. I thank her for the friendship that we share and for the 
inspiration that she provides through a lifetime of caring. Although 
Pastor Cherry is ending this particular chapter of her life, she will 
open the next chapter by continuing to crusade for those of us less 
fortunate. On behalf of all Delawareans, I congratulate her on a truly 
remarkable and distinguished career and extend to her my very best 
wishes for every success in the future. I wish her and her family only 
the very best in all that lies ahead for each of them.

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