[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 28, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4078-S4079]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF BISHOP GILBERT EARL PATTERSON

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 133, which was 
submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 133) celebrating the life of Bishop 
     Gilbert Earl Patterson.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the 
table and that any statements relating thereto be printed in the 
Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 133) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              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;
       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

[[Page S4079]]

     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.

                          ____________________