[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 47 (Wednesday, April 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING REVEREND JOHN H. ROUSE, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 51ST 
 ANNIVERSARY OF SERVICE IN THE MINISTRY AND 31ST ANNIVERSARY AS PASTOR 
OF THE MOUNT ZION MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH IN EAST ST. LOUIS, ILLINOIS

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                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 26, 2006

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing Reverend John H. Rouse, of the Mount Zion Missionary 
Baptist Church, in East St. Louis, Illinois, on the occasion of his 
51st anniversary of service in the ministry and 31st anniversary as 
Pastor of Mt. Zion.
  John Rouse is the son of Dr. W.B. and Evelyn Rouse. A native of 
Nashville, Tennessee, Rev. Rouse graduated with honors from Lincoln 
High School in East St. Louis, Illinois. Even though he was the 
president of his graduating class, Rev. Rouse was once counseled at 
Lincoln High School to compromise his ambition and settle for 
employment that did not require public speaking. How fortunate for all 
those who have benefited from his years of ministry that Rev. Rouse did 
not follow that advice.
  Rev. Rouse began his formal ministry at the First Ward Baptist 
Church, in Clarksville, Tennessee, where he was pastor until 1970. 
During his time in Tennessee, Rev. Rouse continued his extensive 
education at American Baptist Seminary and College of the Bible, 
Tennessee State University, Austin Peay State University and George 
Peabody College.
  Also during his years in Tennessee, Rev. Rouse became very involved 
in the civil rights struggle. His work to end segregation in Tennessee 
and later in Henderson, Kentucky has continued throughout his years of 
ministry as he has been a constant champion of civil rights and social 
justice.
  It was through activities as a member of the NAACP that Rev. Rouse 
met Mary G. Avent, who would become his wife and mother of their four 
children.
  In 1975, Rev. Rouse returned to East St. Louis to begin his pastorate 
at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church where he still serves as pastor 
today. While at Mt. Zion, Rev. Rouse has expanded his ministry to 
include Mt. Zion Baptist Mission East, as well as a community-based 
prison ministry. In addition to their own four children, Rev. and Mrs. 
Rouse have taken in a number of foster children and opened their hearts 
and helping hands to many within their congregation.

  While Rev. Rouse has built an impressive congregation in East St. 
Louis, he has extended his ministry through speaking engagements, 
workshops and revivals across the country and as far away as Seoul, 
South Korea. Rev. Rouse has officiated at over 2,000 weddings and over 
5,000 funerals. He has served on governing boards and commissions 
serving the church, education, government and community.
  Rev. Rouse has traveled far and wide in his service to the Lord. He 
has also been a teacher, coach and funeral director. He has built 
congregations and mentored others in their quest to become ministers. 
The good work that he has done has extended far beyond the boundaries 
of his present congregation and will be felt for years to come.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in an expression of 
appreciation to Reverend Rouse for his 51 years of dedicated ministry 
and to wish him and his family the very best in the future.

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