[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 149 (Thursday, October 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2552]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


A BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE TO DR. MELVIN E. BANKS, FOUNDER OF URBAN MINISTRIES, 
                                  INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 15, 2009

  Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, today it is my distinct honor and privilege 
to rise to acknowledge and congratulate one of my state's unsung 
jewels. Seventy-five years ago today, on October 15, 1934, Melvin E. 
Banks was born into this world in the, then, relatively small town of 
Birmingham, Alabama. From his humble beginnings in the segregated 
South, through hard work, perseverance and an abiding faith in God, 
today, Melvin Banks presides over the strong and thriving Urban 
Ministries, Inc., the largest independent African American-owned 
Christian publishing company in the United States.
  UMI is located in Calumet City, Illinois, and this global, family-
operated business is a vital part of our state's thriving, south 
suburban community. With all of the accolades and accomplishments that 
Dr. Melvin Banks has rightfully earned over the years, I stand here, 
tonight, Madame Speaker, simply proud to call him my friend.
  Melvin Banks' life story is uniquely American. He often tells the 
story of discovering his faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at 
the age of 12. Even at that young age, his sense of faith and guidance 
was so strong that he accepted his personal call to minister the gospel 
to all who would listen. His evangelism began, literally, on some of 
the dusty back roads of Birmingham. One day, young Melvin encountered 
an elderly gentleman who recognized his spiritual gifts and referred 
him to a scripture that influenced his life's work. That scripture, 
Hosea 4:6, states, ``My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.'' 
Upon hearing those words, young Melvin knew that God's purpose for his 
life was to help spread the knowledge of the gospel of Christ through 
the unique, cultural lens of the African American experience. And from 
that moment on, Melvin Bank's dreams and life's work continued to grow 
and to prosper.
  As Melvin Banks grew in the Lord, he also embraced the value of a 
good education. Banks graduated from Parker High School in Birmingham, 
in 1952, and he went on to study at the Moody Bible College, in 
Chicago, where he graduated in 1955. Continuing his education, Banks 
attended Wheaton College, earning a B.A. degree in theology, in 1958, 
and his master's degree in biblical studies in 1960.
  After graduation, Dr. Banks chose to remain in Chicago and he soon 
got a job with Scripture Press Publications, a job that included sales. 
Dr. Banks' work with Scripture Press gave him his first opportunity to 
begin to understand how to market to African American consumers. It was 
that passion to serve his community coupled with his godly vision, 
professionalism and drive that ultimately led him to launch Urban 
Ministries, Inc., in 1970.
  After founding Urban Ministries, Dr. Banks and his small staff 
operated out of the basement of his home for 12 years. As Dr. Banks' 
faith grew, so did his media ministry. In 1982, Urban Ministries 
occupied the second floor of a building located at 1439 West 103rd 
Street in Chicago. Guided by a vision that continues to serve him well 
to this day, Dr. Banks moved Urban Ministries, in 1996, to its current 
46,000-square-foot headquarters in Calumet City. Shortly before that 
milestone, it's worth noting that, in 1993, his alma mater, Wheaton 
College, conferred its esteemed graduate with an Honorary Doctorate in 
Literature, a recognition of his consummate stewardship over the 
written and published word.
  And so, Madam Speaker, as I enter these words into the Congressional 
Record on this day, it's my pleasure to note these words from UMI's 
website:

       UMI is the largest independent, African American-owned and 
     operated Christian media company. UMI publishes Christian 
     resources, including Christian education and Vacation Bible 
     School curricula, books, movies and websites designed for 
     African American churches and others seeking a diverse, 
     Christ-centered perspective on faith and life issues.

  Today, UMI is the largest, independent African American Christian 
publisher in the United States. UMI, literally, serves thousands of 
churches nationwide with curriculum resources, teaching materials, 
videos and other products aimed at instilling character in the youth 
and adults of our nation.
  Madam Speaker, today, more than 10,000 churches utilize UMI 
materials, on a weekly basis, and a dozen different denominational 
groups call UMI their publishing partner--a distinction that gives this 
Illinois-based company its national and global impact.
  Madam Speaker, for the more than 50 years that Dr. Melvin Banks has 
been a citizen of our great state, I'm proud to report that he has also 
been a devoted husband to his wife and business partner, Olive Banks, 
and the father to his children, Melvin Banks, Jr., Patrice Banks Lee 
and Reginald Banks, all of whom have worked with their father to help 
make this company the global leader it is today.
  As I conclude this well-deserved tribute, let me also say that as my 
heart breaks for the thousands of children in this nation whose lives 
are cut short because of violence and unrealized dreams, my hope is 
that as these words enter the permanent annals of history that some 
young boy or girl will look upon these words and be inspired by the 
tremendous life of Dr. Melvin E. Banks.
  My hope is that they will see in his life the hope, the determination 
and the abiding faith that God gave him. While every child may not have 
all the spiritual gifts that Dr. Banks enjoys, my hope and prayer is 
that they will see in his life what a made up mind can do.

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