[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 25 (Thursday, March 2, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO BISHOP WALTER EMILE BOGAN, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 2, 2006

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today with a heavy heart, 
as I ask my colleagues in the 109th Congress to join me in honoring the 
life and accomplishments of a dear friend of mine, Bishop Walter Emile 
Bogan, Sr. Bishop Bogan passed away at his residence on Sunday, January 
8, at the age of 57. I am deeply saddened by this great loss, for 
Bishop Bogan was an inspiring and positive force for Genesee County, 
the State, and Nation. He was a true friend, and I shall miss him 
greatly.
  Born to the union of Norma L. Bogan-Burrell and the late William 
Bogan in my hometown of Flint, Michigan, Walter Bogan attended and 
graduated from Flint Community Schools, and later went on to schools 
such as Saints Academy College in Lexington, MS, Moody Bible College in 
Chicago, and Moorhouse College in Atlanta. He also attended Flint's 
C.S. Mott Community College, and the University of Michigan-Flint. On 
July 25, 1980, he answered the Lord's call and succeeded his 
grandfather and mentor, Rev. Theodore Harris, as Pastor of Harris 
Memorial Church of God in Christ.
  Over the years, Rev. Bogan became more than just a Pastor, but a 
spiritual leader whose guidance, vision, and commitment to spreading 
the Word of God helped make the Flint area a better place in which to 
live. Pastor Bogan constantly and selflessly gave of himself, hosting 
Christmas parties for neighborhood children and providing gifts for 
them all. In recent years, he would offer college scholarships for 
several young members of his congregation, in hopes of granting them 
opportunities they otherwise may not have had the chance to take.
  In 2000, Pastor Bogan became Bishop Bogan, as he was appointed Chief 
Servant and Presiding Bishop of the Great Lakes Ecclesiastical 
Jurisdiction of Michigan, Church of God In Christ. Bishop Bogan 
admirably balanced his new leadership duties with powerful sermons each 
Sunday, which for him was a labor of love.
  Bishop Bogan leaves to cherish and carry on his legacy his beautiful 
and devoted wife of 35 years, Dianne, sons Walter and Eric, daughter-
in-law Karleen, three grandchildren, and of course the many people whom 
he loved and loved him in return.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in 
offering condolences to the family of Bishop Bogan, and in thanking 
them for sharing him with our community. My message to his congregation 
is as follows:
  ``Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble 
in heart.'' [Matthew 11:29]
  It takes a strong person to be meek, a strong person to be in charge 
of his passions and emotions.
  Bishop Walter Emile Bogan was such a person. He was strong in his 
love of God. He was strong in his love of the Church. He was strong in 
his love of family. He was strong in his pursuit of justice. He was 
strong in his effort to eliminate injustice. And all this deep 
strength, he exercised humbly, as an instrument of God's Holy Will.
  Because of Bishop Bogan's strength, anchored in humility and 
meekness, this community is a better community. This Church is a 
stronger representation of the Mystical Body of Christ. All of us here 
in this Church are better people because of that strength of faith and 
action of Bishop Walter Bogan.
  The greatest tribute we can render to Bishop Bogan is to emulate his 
love, his dedication, his humility, and his Christ-centered strength.
  Bishop Bogan, as a triumphant member of the Communion of Saints, 
please ask Almighty God to shower His Blessings upon us that we might 
use our strength to carry out God's Holy Will.

                          ____________________