[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 92 (Thursday, June 5, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTORY REMARKS OF THE REV. EARL ABEL POST OFFICE NAMING BILL

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                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 5, 2008

  Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, as Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri and in 
my career as a Methodist minister, I had the distinct honor of getting 
to know many of the dedicated community leaders whose sole purpose for 
being involved was to improve the lives of their fellow citizens. One 
of the best and most beloved of these leaders was the Reverend Earl 
Abel.
  Reverend Abel was born on September 12, 1930. He attended the 
University of Kansas and went on to receive his Doctor of Divinity 
Degree from Western Baptist Bible College. Reverend Abel worked as a 
U.S. Postal Service mail carrier until he organized the Palestine 
Missionary Baptist Church in 1959.
  Under Reverend Abel's leadership, what started out as a modest church 
of 11 members grew into a thriving ministry, touching the lives of 
thousands of community members across Kansas City, Missouri. While he 
was pastor, Palestine Church built two senior citizens residences, a 
Senior Activity Center, and a church camp for both youth and adults. 
Even as he worked tirelessly to reach out through these programs, 
Reverend Abel's involvement in the community did not end with his 
efforts at Palestine Church. Reverend Abel served as Chaplain for the 
Kansas City Police Department, President of the Baptist Ministers 
Union, member of the Kansas City Council on Crime Prevention, and 
authored a book entitled If a Church is to Grow. In 1999, Missouri 
Governor Mel Carnahan appointed Reverend Abel to the Appellate Judicial 
Commission.
  On May 17, 2005, Reverend Abel passed away after 46 years of service 
at Palestine Missionary Baptist Church of Jesus Christ and more than 48 
years as a minister of God.
  Today I rise to offer a bill to honor this man by naming a post 
office facility in Kansas City after him. Given his early career as a 
mail carrier, it is only fitting for the location at 1700 Cleveland 
Avenue, in the heart of Kansas City, to carry his name. It is my hope 
that this small gesture helps ensure that the legacy of Reverend Abel 
lives on. A companion bill in the Senate will be filed today by Senator 
Claire McCaskill, herself a tireless public servant and a friend of 
Reverend Abel.
  I hope my fellow colleagues will join me in recognizing Reverend Earl 
Abel for his loving ministry and limitless dedication to serving the 
Kansas City, Missouri community. I thank the Chair and ask that the 
full text of the bill, and these remarks, be inserted into the Record 
at the appropriate place.

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