[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 149 (Thursday, October 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      IN HONOR OF DR. J.H. FLAKES

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 15, 2009

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Dr. J.H. Flakes of Columbus, GA, who on Sunday, October 18, will 
celebrate his 48th year as the Senior Pastor of the Fourth Street 
Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus. I have known Reverend Flakes for 
many years and feel honored to call him a friend, a constituent, and an 
inspiration.
  Reverend Flakes was born in Phenix City, AL, and received his 
Bachelor of Arts degree from American Baptist College in Nashville, TN. 
He continued his biblical studies at Morehouse School of Religion in 
Atlanta, GA, the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education in 
Houston, TX, and the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia 
in Rome, GA. In addition, he has received an honorary doctorate from 
A.B. Lee Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, FL, and an honorary 
doctorate degree from his alma mater, the American Baptist College.
  As the Word says in Proverbs 3:5, ``Trust in the Lord with all your 
heart and lean not on your own understanding.'' Reverend Flakes has 
truly lived by this principle. Since his arrival at Fourth Street 
Missionary Baptist Church, he has sought to implement the church's 
mission to ``obey the will of God through preaching, teaching, 
witnessing, stewardship and fellowship.''
  Reverend Flakes has received numerous awards and recognitions to 
honor his steadfast commitment to his parishioners and his community, 
including the Outstanding Personality of the South, Ten Outstanding 
Ministers in the State of Georgia, the Alpha Phi Alpha Martin Luther 
King Award, Operation PUSH Martin Luther King Award, as well as the 
Knighthood Award from the Congress of Christian Education.
  With ordained leadership and divine grace, Reverend Flakes has built 
a church that delivers God's message and works daily to implement God's 
vision. Reverend Flakes personifies the love of God through his 
teaching and his way of life. I thank him for his years of service to 
his parishioners, the Columbus community, Georgia's Second 
Congressional District, and the Nation. Moreover, I wish him many more 
fruitful years to come.

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