[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 114 (Friday, July 30, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H6563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING BISHOP WALLACE EDWARD LOCKETT

  (Mr. AL GREEN of Texas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, June 30, 2010 will mark a 
significant date in the history of our country. On that date, in 
Mobile, Alabama, the Honorable W. Edward Lockett became the 57th Bishop 
of the CME Church.
  Bishop Lockett has been a longtime stalwart in the Houston area. He 
has demonstrated what being one's keeper is all about. He has been his 
brother's keeper. And I am honored to say that I have had a flag flown 
over the Capitol of the United States of America to celebrate this 
great historic occasion for the CME Church for many of my constituents.
  I will close with this: Bishop Lockett, we thank you for what you 
have done not only for the Houston community, but for what you have 
done in the United States of America. I hope and pray that you will 
continue to do God's work.
  It is my honor to recognize and pay tribute to Bishop Wallace Edward 
Lockett of Houston, Texas on his election as the 57th Bishop of the 
Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church at their 36th Quadrennial 
Session and the 37th General Conference of the Christian Methodist 
Episcopal Church on June 30, 2010 in Mobile, Alabama.
  The CME is a 139-year old historically African American Christian 
denomination with more than 1.2 million members across the United 
States. CME also has missions and sister churches in Haiti, Jamaica, 
Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 
Sudan/Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
  The quintessential public servant, Bishop Lockett has been a strong 
advocate for those without a voice, strengthening the family and 
working to better the condition of those in need, both here at home and 
abroad.
  A pioneer in Houston's economic development community-based 
corporation, Bishop Lockett previously presided over the Board of 
Directors of a successful community-based development corporation, 
Sunnyside-Up, Incorporated, specializing in substantial rehabilitation 
of both single and multi-family housing.
  Under his leadership the organization managed an inventory of more 
than one hundred homes in the organization's signature ``lease-purchase 
program.'' Additionally, over 600 units of multi-family housing were 
purchased, rehabilitated and joint managed.
  For the past four years, Bishop Lockett and his business partner, Dr. 
Gideon Adjei (a native Ghanaian), have been involved in developing 
Crystal Horizon Investment (Ghana) Ltd. This project supports the 
development and security of 35,000 acres of land for farming, 
affordable housing, health care facilities, and schools in the Volta 
River area known as Ocosenbou of West Africa.
  Prior to his recent election, Bishop Lockett served as the pastor of 
the 1,500-member CME Metropolitan Church in Houston for over 25 years.
  During his tenure, more than 45 ministries have been developed, 
including a charter school middle for males. Bishop Lockett was also 
instrumental in leading Metropolitan CME Church in directing the 
construction of a new 49,000 square foot building which houses many of 
its ministries.
  While actively involved in church, community, and for profit 
enterprises, Bishop Lockett also finds time for civic and political 
involvement. He serves on the Texas College Board of Trustees, (Tyler, 
Texas). He has served as a member of the Ministers Advisory Council to 
each mayor of Houston since 1985. Past positions held include President 
of the Texas State Legal Services Support Center (Austin, Texas), Board 
Member of the Deep East Texas Council of Government (DETCOG), and 
President of the Lufkin Branch of the NAACP, Lufkin, Texas.
  Bishop Lockett also served his country honorably as a member of the 
United States Air Force working as a team member with the 
Intercontinental Ballistic Missile System.
  Bishop Lockett attended Florida A&M University, Ohio University State 
University, and holds a Masters Degree in Business Management and 
International Marketing from the University of Phoenix. He is a 
candidate for Master of Theological Studies at Trinity Theological 
Seminary.
  Lockett is married to Lillie B. and is the father of three children, 
Dwayne Demetrius, Vernon Dale and Nicole Tonita. He is the proud 
grandfather of five grandchildren.
  A faithful shepherd and servant, Houston and Texas will miss Bishop 
Lockett. It is truly an honor to pay tribute to Rev. Lockett's 
distinguished life and a privilege to enter these words into the 
Congressional Record of the United States House of Representatives.
  I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Bishop Wallace 
Edward Lockett as the 57th C.M.E Bishop and Presiding Prelate for the 
Fifth Episcopal District overseeing Alabama and Florida in the 140-year 
history of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church.

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