[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 25 (Thursday, February 14, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E204-E205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO REVEREND DR. JEREMIAH A. WRIGHT, JR., SENIOR PASTOR OF THE 
      TRINITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST (TUCC) OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

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                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 14, 2008

  Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to and honor the 
Reverend Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., who delivered his final sermon on 
Sunday, February 10, 2008, as the Senior Pastor of the Trinity United 
Church of Christ of Chicago, IL.
  Dr. Wright was born on September 22, 1941, in Philadelphia, PA to the 
union of the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Sr. and Dr. Mary Henderson 
Wright. His parents were his earliest influences, instilling in him the 
possibility of balancing the intellectual with the spiritual. Upon 
completion of his elementary and secondary education in Philadelphia, 
Dr. Wright matriculated at Virginia Union University. After 3\1/2\ 
years at Virginia Union, Dr. Wright left school and entered the U.S. 
Marine Corps. He transferred from the USMC into the U.S. Navy where he 
served as a cardiopulmonary technician.
  After 6 years with distinction in the military, Dr. Wright 
transferred to Howard University where he completed his undergraduate 
studies and received his first master's degree. His second master's 
degree was from the University of Chicago Divinity School and he 
furthered his academic pursuits with a doctorate from the United 
Theological Seminary. In addition to Dr. Wright's four earned degrees, 
he has been the recipient of eight honorary doctorates. He is the 
recipient of numerous awards, including three presidential 
commendations.

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  An accomplished musician, theologian and author, Wright has written 
four books, numerous articles and countless sermons and was named one 
of Ebony's top 15 preachers. Dr. Wright has lectured at seminaries and 
universities across the United States and has represented Trinity and 
The United Church of Christ around the world.
  Dr. Wright became Pastor of Trinity UCC on March 1, 1972. Under his 
leadership, the membership grew from 87 members to nearly 10,000 today 
with over 70 ministries offered to enhance the Christian journey. Dr. 
Wright shares his life and ministry with his wife, Rev. Ramah Reed 
Wright, and is the father of five children and grandfather of three.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize the life achievements of 
Reverend Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., Senior Pastor of the Trinity 
United Church of Christ and I want to encourage Dr. Wright to continue 
to be ``Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian''. I am truly 
honored to pay tribute to this outstanding Servant of God and I am 
privileged to enter these words into the Congressional Record of the 
United States House of Representatives.

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