[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 38 (Wednesday, April 6, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H1783]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF GUEST PASTOR, THE REVEREND L.H. HARDWICK, JR.

  (Mr. COOPER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to introduce as our guest 
chaplain my good friend Reverend L.H. Hardwick, Jr., the senior pastor 
of Christ Church in Nashville, TN.
  Reverend Hardwick was born and raised in Nashville, and he attended 
the Freewill Baptist Bible College before he was called to the ministry 
at the remarkably young age of 18. Dr. Hardwick has held honorary 
doctoral degrees from the Moody Theological Seminary and Emmanuel Bible 
College. Reverend Hardwick is truly remarkable and has dedicated over 
54 years of faithful service to his congregation as pastor of Christ 
Church.
  The reverend has tirelessly led Christ Church through three moves due 
to growth, and now the church has over 3,500 members and is listed as 
one of the fastest growing congregations in America.
  A dedicated community servant as well as pastor, Pastor Hardwick has 
been appointed by the Governor of Tennessee to serve 8 years on the 
Board of Trustees of the State Mental Health Association. He is a 
member of the Metro Pastors Association, 12 of Nashville's most 
distinguished ministers. He has been a key part of the board of 
Operation Andrew, which is the outreach board for Pastor Billy Graham 
and his ministry in uniting the body of Christ in Middle Tennessee. 
This year, Pastor Hardwick and his wife, Montelle, are celebrating 
their 55th year of marriage.
  So, Mr. Speaker, it is again an honor and privilege to be able to 
welcome such a distinguished individual to the U.S. House of 
Representatives. Pastor L.H. Hardwick, Jr., is truly a fine man and did 
a wonderful job in delivering our opening prayer.

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