[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 96 (Wednesday, June 11, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1196]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN HONOR OF REVEREND DR. OTIS MOSS JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 11, 2008

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Reverend Dr. 
Otis Moss Jr. A profoundly respected and influential member of the 
Greater Cleveland community and a leader of greater Cleveland's civic 
culture, Dr. Otis Moss Jr. is this year's recipient of Cleveland's 
NAACP's Freedom Award.
  The Freedom Award is the highest form of recognition awarded by 
Cleveland's NAACP and is awarded to members of the community who have 
dedicated their lives to fostering social change and building a society 
based on the ideals of equality and justice. Dr. Otis Moss Jr., a 
resident of the Cleveland area for over thirty years, carries with him 
a rich history of public service and advocacy, especially in the 
African-American community. Born in rural Georgia and a graduate of 
Morehouse College in Atlanta, he worked along side Dr. Martin Luther 
King Jr., leading sit-ins and advocating for desegregation during the 
civil rights era.
  He became a pastor in 1954, serving in various Baptist Churches 
throughout Georgia until 1961, when he moved to Mount Zion Baptist 
Church in Cincinnati. In this capacity, he continued fighting for 
equality locally by challenging discrimination in the workplace. Dr. 
Otis Moss Jr. left his position at Mount Zion Baptist Church to march 
once again alongside Martin Luther King Jr. in Alabama and Washington 
and to serve as Co-Pastor with Martin Luther King Sr. at Alabama's 
Ebenezer Baptist Church. He later returned to Ohio in 1974, to lead one 
of Cleveland's largest and most prominent churches, Olivet 
Institutional Baptist Church. He has served as Senior Pastor of Olivet 
Institutional Baptist Church for over thirty years, working closely 
with the greater Cleveland community in continuing the fight for civil 
rights and access to quality medical care. In the late 1990's, he 
worked with University Hospitals to create the Otis Moss Jr. Medical 
Center in the Fairfax neighborhood of Cleveland, bringing desperately 
needed resources and access to quality health care to its residents.
  Dr. Otis Moss Jr's ability to mobilize the community and to advocate 
for the social welfare of others has been manifested in the various 
leadership roles he has played. His leadership has served as an 
undeniable source of inspiration to many who want social justice.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognition of 
Reverend Dr. Otis Moss Jr., who has dedicated his life to serving his 
Church and the Greater Cleveland community. Let his advocacy on behalf 
of the welfare of others serve as inspiration for all those in pursuit 
of social justice.

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