[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 14, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   ON THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SERVICE OF THE REV. DR. DWIGHT S. 
   RIDDICK, SR., AT GETHSEMANE BAPTIST CHURCH, NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA

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                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 14, 2010

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Reverend 
Dr. Dwight S. Riddick, Pastor of Gethsemane Baptist Church in Newport 
News, Virginia. This is the 25th anniversary of Dr. Riddick's service 
to Gethsemane Baptist and the people of Newport News, and I would like 
to take this moment to recognize some of his numerous accomplishments 
during that time.
  A native of Chesapeake, Virginia, Dr. Riddick is a graduate of 
Norfolk State University. In 1991, he received his Master's Degree of 
Divinity from the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia 
Union University in Richmond, and in 2005, he earned his Doctorate in 
Ministry from Regent University in Virginia Beach. Dr. Riddick 
previously served six years as pastor of First Baptist Church of 
Dendron, Virginia before coming to Gethsemane Baptist.
  In his position as Pastor of Gethsemane, Dr. Riddick has been an 
extraordinary shepherd over a vibrant and growing flock. Under his 
visionary leadership, Gethsemane Baptist has grown from a mission with 
200 individuals to a church with well over 3,000 active members. I have 
attended Sunday services at Gethsemane Baptist and have seen his hand 
at work in his church and community. During his tenure, the Church 
established a learning and child development center, a Christian school 
and a Bible Institute. In addition, several community outreach programs 
and ministries have been created during Dr. Riddick's tenure.
  Dr. Riddick led a successful building program which resulted in the 
construction of the current church building at Chestnut Avenue and 36th 
Street, and he is currently leading another building program which will 
result in the Church's second location on a 16-acre campus in Newport 
News.
  Aside from his duties at Gethsemane, Dr. Riddick currently serves as 
the President of the Baptist General Convention of Virginia, a group 
with over 1000 member churches. He also serves as the Vice President of 
the Hampton University Minister's Conference, a member of the Board of 
Trustees at Virginia Union University, and an Advisory Committee member 
of Consolidated Bank and Trust.
  On the occasion of his 25th anniversary, it gives me great pleasure 
to recognize and commend Reverend Dr. Dwight S. Riddick for his service 
and dedication to the parishioners of Gethsemane Baptist Church, the 
people of Newport News, and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

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