[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 110 (Monday, July 26, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1421]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING BISHOP WALTER L. HAWKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 26, 2010

  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
extraordinary life of Grammy Award-winning gospel singer and musical 
trailblazer, Bishop Walter L. Hawkins. With his passing on July 11, 
2010, at the age of 61, we look to Bishop Hawkins' personal legacy of 
spiritual service, the joy he inspired, and the outstanding quality of 
his life's work.
  A Bay Area native, Walter Hawkins began an unanticipated career in 
gospel music when, at the age of 19, he sang with the Berkeley-based 
Ephesians Church of God in Christ's youth choir. The choir, directed by 
older brother Edwin Hawkins, recorded an album to sell locally as a 
fundraising effort. It exceeded expectations when the track, ``Oh Happy 
Day,'' sold over a million copies as an instant pop hit. The Hawkins' 
enjoyed success as they toured nationally and internationally with the 
legendary Edwin Hawkins Singers. And in the early 1970s, Walter Hawkins 
decided to forge another path by entering the ministry.
  In 1973, Bishop Hawkins founded the Love Center Church in Oakland 
where he directed the Love Center Choir. The choir's live album, 
``Going Up Yonder,'' became one of the decade's highest selling gospel 
albums and stayed on Billboard's Gospel Top 40 Chart for three 
consecutive years. The church's ``Love Alive'' series of recordings 
sold over a million copies from the 1970s through the 1990s, with 
``Love Alive IV'' spending an astounding 39 weeks at the top of 
Billboard's Gospel Chart.
  Throughout his prolific career of composition, collaboration, 
directing, producing, recording and performance, Bishop Hawkins earned 
myriad accolades, including a Grammy Award, eight Grammy nominations, 
three Dove Awards and Gospel Music's Lifetime Heritage Award. Even with 
Bishop Hawkins' musical success, he remained committed to his spirit-
filled ministry throughout the Bay Area and the nation.
  In Oakland, Bishop Hawkins' ministry enriched and touched the lives 
of many residents throughout the 9th Congressional District. The 
musical component of his teachings inspired both spiritual and artistic 
communities alike with its profound messages of love and hope. Bishop 
Hawkins was a spiritual leader, an American icon, a gospel music 
innovator--and he was also a close friend. It was a great joy for me 
when Bishop Hawkins accepted my invitation a few years ago to perform 
at the prayer breakfast during the Congressional Black Caucus 
Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference. We all sat transfixed as 
Bishop Hawkins moved us by performing old gospel classics. It is a 
memory that I will forever cherish.
  Today, California's 9th Congressional District salutes and honors 
Bishop Walter L. Hawkins. We celebrate his amazing life as we mourn his 
passing. He was a friend and a great man who will be remembered as one 
of the most beloved figures in contemporary gospel music. Although we 
will miss Bishop Hawkins tremendously, his musical genius, his ministry 
and his abounding spirit will live on with his legacy. My thoughts and 
prayers are with Bishop Hawkins' brother Edwin, his children, 
grandchildren, and an extended group of loved ones. It is my hope that 
they find comfort in their deep and abiding faith during this time of 
loss. Bishop Hawkins will be deeply missed. May his soul rest in peace.

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