[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO REV. DR. SHELVIN J. HALL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 8, 2006

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, to work until one is 90 years old 
is unusual; and to work effectively is almost unbelievable. However, to 
do both for Rev. Shelvin Jerome Hall is nothing more than expectation. 
Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to this extraordinary 
man. When a young Shelvin Jerome Hall came to Chicago from Texas, he 
brought with him intellect, wisdom, wit, good up-bringing, 
determination, a strong belief in God and a recognition that he was 
destined to follow in the footsteps of Moses and lead his people 
towards a promised land.
  When Rev. Hall took over the pastorate of the Friendship Baptist 
Church in 1955, it is reported that the church had only 87 cents in its 
treasury. However, without a great deal of fanfare, he developed an 
institution whose membership were solid citizens who themselves were 
growing as the church did, and he and Friendship became anchors of the 
North Lawndale Community.
  Always conscious of the social, political and economic plight of 
African Americans and other minorities, when Dr. Martin Luther King, 
Jr. came to Chicago in the 1960's, Rev. Hall opened the doors of 
Friendship to him and was not intimidated by City Hall and other 
factions opposed to the King movement.
  During and after the riots in the '60's, Rev. Hall had a presence and 
played a significant role in fostering better police/community as well 
as Black-White relations in Chicago. Along the way Rev. Hall was 
married to an intelligent, professional, gracious and graceful woman, 
Mrs. Lucy Hall, who retired as one of Chicago's best public school 
teachers. They produced three children, Priscilla Hall who sits on the 
New York Supreme Court, Shelvin Louise Hall, an Appellate Court Justice 
in Cook County, Illinois and a son, Lewis J. Hall, Supervisor of Higher 
Education for the State of New York.
  Rev. Hall has held every office on the Baptist Church's 
organizational chart. Pastor, Moderator, Dean at the Baptist Institute, 
President of the State Association and has provided leadership to many 
interfaith and interdenominational groups as well. Outside the 
religious arena, Rev. Hall has been chairman of many not-for-profit 
organizations and businesses . . . e.g. the Lawndale People's Planning 
and Action Conference, the Community Bank of Lawndale and a Blue 
Ribbon Commission to plan the re-opening of the Jackson Square Nursing 
Home across the street and in front of Friendship. Perhaps Rev. Hall's 
most pleasing achievement was the building of the new Friendship, 
commonly and fondly called the African Hut at 5200 W. Jackson Boulevard 
with wood imported from Mozambique. The church still sits in the heart 
of the Austin Community of Chicago which is more than 90% Black. It is 
a testament to the connection of African Roots to a large urban inner 
city community. It was also Rev. Hall, who along with some of his 
fellow clergy persons declared to Mayor Richard J. Daley and other 
Democratic Party leaders that it was time to elect a person of color to 
represent what is now the 7th Congressional District thereby, paving 
the way for Congressman George W. Collins to be elected, followed by 
his wife Congresswoman Cardiss Collins and finally, myself in 1996.

  Rev. Hall, it is indeed a pleasure to salute you as you retire after 
having been pastor of Friendship Baptist Church for fifty one years. 
You've been effective and you've made a difference. We thank God for 
the Rev. Dr. Shelvin Jerome Hall.

                          ____________________