[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 56 (Thursday, April 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E857]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING REVEREND A.D. KING

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN BARROW

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 2, 2009

  Mr. BARROW. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Reverend 
A.D. King and to recognize his many contributions on behalf of social 
justice and peace around the world.
  Alfred Daniel Williams King was born July 30, 1930, in Atlanta, 
Georgia, the youngest of the three children of Reverend Martin Luther 
King, Sr., and Alberta Williams King. Reverend King shared his family's 
passion for the ministry and social justice. He graduated from 
Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1959. That same year, he also 
became pastor of the Mount Vernon First Baptist Church in Newnan, 
Georgia.
  The book of Proverbs says, ``Open your mouth, judge righteously, and 
defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.'' Reverend King lived his 
life according to this maxim. He believed that war was never the 
solution and that non-violent means will always overcome.
  Whether it was participating in a lunch counter sit-in, strategizing 
the March on Selma, or organizing the demonstrations that would 
ultimately lead to the passage of the Civil Rights Act, Reverend King 
was there, active, engaged, and defending the rights of the afflicted 
and needy.
  Like his brother Martin, Reverend A.D. King passed from this life at 
the much too young age of 39. His life wasn't full of years, but his 
years were full of life.
  As we recognize the 40th anniversary of Reverend A.D. King's passing 
this July 21st, I hope that we can all learn from his example of 
righteousness and citizenship, and shape a better future for ourselves 
and our posterity, as he did for us.
  Reverend King was survived by his wife, Naomi Barbara King, and his 
five children. Today I honor Reverend A.D. King, and the entire King 
family, for their contributions and service to America. Their example 
gives us all a lasting reminder of what can be achieved when we do 
justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.

                          ____________________