[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 79 (Wednesday, June 15, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H4489]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




WELCOMING DR. EDWARD D. JOHNSON, SENIOR PASTOR, FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF 
           OCALA, OCALA, FL, TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

  (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of delight and an 
honor for me to have my pastor, Dr. Ed Johnson, provide the opening 
prayer for the House of Representatives this morning. We were 
privileged today to hear his brief words of inspiration and guidance.
  Dr. Johnson is the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of 
Ocala, FL, my hometown. This is a thriving church, and one of the 
largest in Marion County. My wife and I attend with our family, and we 
enjoy the warm and welcoming atmosphere.
  Pastor Johnson has been with the First Baptist Church for 22 years, 
where he and his wife Hilda remain active in helping throughout our 
community. Before arriving in Ocala, Dr. Johnson served in churches in 
Texas, Tennessee and West Virginia.
  While attending to the needs of his flock, Pastor Johnson has served 
as president of the Florida Baptist Convention, chairman of the Florida 
Baptist State Board of Missions and the chairman of the Board of 
Trustees of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Although this is 
a distinguished record of service, more importantly, he is a respected 
man of the Lord.
  I appreciate this opportunity to share Pastor Johnson's wisdom with 
my colleagues this morning, and I look forward, Mr. Speaker, to taking 
him to the White House for the picnic.

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