[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 153 (Wednesday, October 10, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF DR. DANIEL SIMMONS, PASTOR OF MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, 
                               ALBANY, GA

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 10, 2007

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. 
Daniel Simmons, on the 16th anniversary of his being called to pastor 
historic Mount Zion Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia.
  Dr. Simmons is a great many things to a great many people in his 
congregation, including myself. Since I joined Mount Zion in 1996, I 
have come to know him as a man of character, a humanitarian, a teacher, 
bridge builder, shepherd, and leader. Above all, Dr. Simmons, through 
his own humble and morally strong existence, helps us, as followers of 
the Word, stride toward the gift of fulfillment graciously bestowed 
upon us by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
  ``Pastor Simmons,'' as we very fondly call him, leads over 2,000 
parishioners who participate in over 50 ministry programs designed to 
fulfill the church's mission statement, ``a vibrant church that reaches 
the world for Christ through evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, and 
missions,'' and to help individual spiritual development.
  Growing up as one of twelve children of Mrs. Pinkie Norwood Simmons 
and the late Reverend Perry Simmons in the 1200-person community of 
Cairo, Georgia, Pastor Simmons seems to be the living embodiment of the 
familiar motto in Philippians 4:13--``I can do all things through 
Christ who strengthens me.'' Through the grace of God, he was able to 
attend Albany State University and went on to receive a masters in 
rehabilitation counseling from the University of Georgia, and a Doctor 
of Ministry Degree from Bethany Theological Seminary.
  Before being called to pastor at Mount Zion, Pastor Simmons received 
his license to preach Greater Second Mount Olive Baptist Church of 
Albany, and pastored at Mountain Grove Baptist Church of Dawson, 
Georgia, and Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Sylvester, Georgia.
  Madam Speaker, Mount Zion Baptist Church, the city of Albany, and 
indeed the Second Congressional District of Georgia have been truly 
blessed to have benefited from the tremendous leadership and teachings 
of Pastor Simmons for the past 16 years. May our community and our 
country continue to be blessed by the visionary ministry of Jesus 
Christ that manifests itself in the exceptional service of my pastor 
and friend, Dr. Daniel Simmons.

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