[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 129 (Tuesday, September 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1792]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING REVEREND BILLY DEAN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ZACH WAMP

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 4, 2007

  Mr. WAMP. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Reverend Billy Dean of 
Hamilton County, Tennessee. We celebrate Reverend Dean's 60th year in 
the ministry and his 77th birthday.
  Billy Dean was born on September 20, 1930, to parents James Thomas 
and Kate Dean. He had four brothers and one sister.
  Billy began his religious pursuit in a small country church in Soddy 
Daisy, Tennessee. He attended Kirkman Vocational High School and 
graduated in 1950. Billy entered the ministry when he was seventeen and 
pastured at Shanty Town Baptist on Sand Mountain. Because of his 
commitment to the ministry, Billy would ride the bus to Trenton and 
walk up the mountain to church for morning and evening services on 
Sunday.
  Billy married Jo Whitmire in 1953 and became the proud parents of a 
three year old son, Vince, when they adopted him in 1962. After his 
marriage Billy attended Tennessee Temple Baptist College in 
Chattanooga.
  Reverend Dean went on to pastor several Baptist churches, including 
Philadelphia Baptist and Maranantha Baptist, as well as serving as a 
detective for 28 years at the Chattanooga Police Department. Billy 
retired from the police department in 1991.
  In 1992, Frawley Road Baptist approached Billy to come as interim 
pastor to help them get through a difficult period for the church. 
After 15 years, Billy is still pastor at the growing Frawley Road 
church and his son, Vince, is now Music Director and Associate Pastor.
  I have been a friend of Billy Dean for many years. I have firsthand 
given witness to his extraordinary testimony and even watched his son 
enter public service as a result of his father's walk of faith. State 
Representative Vince Dean carries on the Dean tradition in the 
Tennessee General Assembly as we hail this family for their lifetime of 
service and faithfulness to God and His people.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that the United States House of Representatives 
join me in celebrating Reverend Dean's birthday and thanking him for 
his commitment to the Kingdom of God here on earth.

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