[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 88 (Tuesday, June 28, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1393-E1394]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING DR. GILBERTO VELEZ AND PASTOR SAMUEL RODRIGUEZ FOR THEIR 
                   LEADERSHIP IN THE HISPANIC CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 28, 2005

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Dr. Gilberto Velez and 
Pastor Samuel Rodriguez for their leadership in the Hispanic Church.
  Dr. Gilberto Velez, Policy Director for the National Hispanic 
Christian Leadership Conference, was recently recognized by the 
Assemblies of God as one of America's premiere Pastors. Gilberto began 
what would eventually become the Iglesia Cristiana Misericordia through 
a home Bible study in Laredo with a handful for people, in March of 
1995. Just last week, the Iglesia Cristiana Misericordia celebrated 
their 10th anniversary with a brand new 3,300 seat facility.
  Because of its growth and vision, National Hispanic Christian 
Leadership Conference President Samuel Rodriguez has chosen the Iglesia 
Cristiana Misericordia as the Evangelical Hispanic Church of the Year, 
a role model for other Hispanic Churches and Pastors to follow.
  Through the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, Pastor 
Rodriguez

[[Page E1394]]

serves 15 million Evangelical/Born Again Christians in America, and 
helps advocate for family, socio-economic, and political empowerment 
for some 40 million Hispanics worldwide.
  Samuel's efforts cross ethnic and denominational lines, preaching to 
all people regardless of culture or creed.
  I am honored to recognize Samuel Rodriguez and Dr. Gilberto Velez. 
Their commitment to faith and the empowerment of the Hispanic community 
has set an example that we should all be proud of.

                          ____________________