[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 130 (Friday, August 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1687]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGION OF THE CHRISTIAN METHODIST 
                                 CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 1, 2008

  Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
a church whose dedication and contributions to the community of 
southern California are exceptional. Southern California is fortunate 
to have dedicated religious organizations that willingly and 
unselfishly give their time to make their communities a better place to 
live, work and worship. From August 24, 2008 to August 27, 2008 Amos 
Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal, C.M.E., Church in Riverside, led 
by Pastor Julio A. Andujo, will serve as host for the 2008 Episcopal 
District of the Christian Methodist Church Conference.
  The Conference will take place at the Riverside Convention Center in 
Riverside, California. The Right Reverend Bishop Henry M. Williamson, 
Sr., Presiding Prelate of the 9th Episcopal District of the C.M.E. 
Church will convene the annual conference.
  The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church came into existence 
following the issuance of the historic Emancipation Proclamation, which 
signaled the movement from slavery to freedom, and gave former slaves 
the dignity and honor to worship in their own church.
  On December 16, 1870, in Jackson, Tennessee, 41 delegates from the 
Colored Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South 
organized their own separate and independent religious organization, 
chose a name for their Church and met all the requirements of the 
American Methodism.
  The C.M.E. Church successfully met the challenges of providing higher 
education by establishing such historically African-American colleges 
as Lane College, Jackson, Tennessee, 1882; Paine College, Augusta, 
Georgia, 1882; Texas College, Tyler, Texas, 1884; Miles College, 
Birmingham, Alabama, 1905; and the Phillips School of Theology, 1958, 
Atlanta, Georgia.
  Through the years the C.M.E. has shown a remarkable sensitivity to 
the spirit of changing times as evidenced by the 1954 resolution by the 
General Conference to change the name from the ``Colored Methodist 
Episcopal'' to the ``Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.''
  The C.M.E. Church has continuously shown a commitment to higher 
education, civic pride and spiritual leadership. Under Bishop 
Williamson's leadership, the 9th Episcopal District has embraced his 
``One Church One School Community Partnership Program'' which involves 
churches and schools in partnership to teach young people to value life 
and learning.
  The Christian Methodist Church is truly a pillar in the community of 
Riverside, California and throughout the state and country. I commend 
the members and leadership of the C.M.E. for their dedication to 
worship, to their neighbors and to the Christian way of life.

                          ____________________