[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 89 (Tuesday, July 11, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1371]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF DR. BEN SMITH'S RETIREMENT FROM LAKELAND BAPTIST 
                                 CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 11, 2006

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Dr. Ben Smith for 
his thirty-two years of service as the pastor of Lakeland Baptist 
Church in Lewisville, Texas which is my hometown. I am particularly 
grateful to the service Dr. Smith has provided not only the church but 
also to those less fortunate in North Texas.
  Lakeland has always had a strong emphasis on outreach to the 
community, and Dr. Smith as sought to strengthen this ministry during 
his tenure as pastor. He is largely responsible for the congregation's 
in-depth outreach strategies, such as F.A.I.T.H. Under his leadership 
Lakeland has grown from less than 200 to over 2,700 members, with 22 
full time staff. There have been 14 missions started and of those 7 are 
now strong churches.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I stand here today to honor 
Dr. Ben Smith. He is a strong, moral voice in the community; an 
actively involved citizen; and a role model to us all. I am proud to 
serve as his representative in Washington.

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