[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 172 (Thursday, November 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2819]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING REVEREND E. THURMAN WALKER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES A. GONZALES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2009

  Mr. GONZALEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart, to 
report the passing of the Revered E. Thurman Walker after a long 
illness. For more than 22 years, Reverend Walker was a leader in the 
city of San Antonio, first as assistant pastor and for the past 16 
years as the senior pastor of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.
  Under Reverend Walker's leadership, Antioch grew to three thousand 
members and opened the Christian Academy, a private school at the 
Church, in 1995, and the Antioch Community Transformation Network, an 
organization dedicated to community service, in 2000. Reverend Walker 
was the spiritual leader of his congregation, but he insisted that the 
church play a role in the whole community and in the daily lives of all 
San Antonians. The church has been a pillar in the San Antonio 
community for a long time, but its role and reach increased under 
Reverend Walker as well. He forged alliances with other churches, 
particularly through the Community Churches for Social Action, and with 
other religious and social service organizations and with the city's 
political and business leaders. As his wife, Jo Angelia Walker, 
recalled his words, ``If the church is doing nothing to serve and 
minister to the community then we might as well lock up the doors, 
close down and go home!''
  Reverend Walker gave a voice to so many different groups of people in 
San Antonio's community, uniting people around their shared ideals and 
helping them to productive discussions even when their views diverged, 
always seeking out the best path for every one. He touched the lives of 
so many men, women, and children during his too short life. Though he 
may be gone, that legacy will live on forever.

                          ____________________