[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 28, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4062-S4063]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 133--CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF BISHOP GILBERT EARL 
                               PATTERSON

  Mr. OBAMA (for himself, Mr. Levin, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Alexander, and Mr. 
Corker) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
agreed to:

                              S. Res. 133

       Whereas Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson was born in 1939 to 
     Bishop W.A. and Mrs. Mary Patterson, Sr., in Humboldt, 
     Tennessee;
       Whereas Bishop Patterson was reared in Memphis, Tennessee, 
     and Detroit, Michigan, and ordained as an elder in the Church 
     of God in Christ in 1958 by Bishop J.S. Bailey;
       Whereas Bishop Patterson grew in wisdom at the Detroit 
     Bible Institute and LeMoyne Owen College in Memphis, 
     Tennessee;

[[Page S4063]]

       Whereas, in 1962, Bishop Patterson became co-pastor with 
     his father of Holy Temple Church of God in Christ in Memphis, 
     Tennessee;
       Whereas, in 1975, Bishop Patterson founded Temple of 
     Deliverance, the Cathedral of the Bountiful Blessings;
       Whereas Temple of Deliverance is now a shining star of both 
     the Church of God in Christ and all of the Nation's 
     communities of faith;
       Whereas Temple of Deliverance, under Bishop Patterson's 
     wise leadership, continues to touch the entire Nation through 
     its Bountiful Blessings Ministry;
       Whereas Bishop Patterson reached millions across the globe 
     with his direct and spirit-filled messages, encouraging the 
     world to ``be healed, be delivered, and be set free'';
       Whereas Bishop Patterson served as the international leader 
     of the Church of God in Christ since November 2000, ably 
     leading this denomination of over 6,000,000 members;
       Whereas Bishop Patterson passed away on Tuesday, March 20, 
     2007, in Memphis, Tennessee, surrounded by his wife, Mrs. 
     Louise Patterson, and his family;
       Whereas Bishop Patterson will be celebrated as an 
     invigorating spiritual leader; and
       Whereas the family of Bishop Patterson, the Temple of 
     Deliverance congregation, the Church of God in Christ, and 
     indeed the entire Nation are deeply saddened by the loss of 
     this great man: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) expresses the condolences of the Nation to the family 
     of Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson, the Temple of Deliverance 
     Congregation, and the Church of God in Christ; and
       (2) recognizes the life and accomplishments of Bishop 
     Gilbert Earl Patterson, who guided a church, led a 
     denomination, and influenced a nation.

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