[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 120 (Tuesday, August 10, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1552]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING PASTOR IRA G. EDWARDS, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 10, 2010

  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Pastor Ira 
G. Edwards, Sr., pastor of Damascus Holy Life Baptist Church. Pastor 
Edwards is being honored on August 22nd for his work in the Flint 
community.
  Pastor Edwards has been pastor of Damascus Holy Life Baptist Church 
for the past nine years. He also serves as an instructor for the Great 
Lake Congress of Christian Education and is an Associate Dean for the 
Great Lakes Congress of Christian Education. As pastor he has 
established several programs to help the people of the Flint community. 
Pastor Edwards started summer feeding programs for youth, established 
community gardens, and took the lead in the purchasing of a local bar 
and converting it into a Training Center.
  He is a member of Concerned Pastors for Social Action, and cochair of 
the Flint Area Congregations Together. He is on the National Steering 
Committee and Clergy Caucus for People Improving Communities through 
Organizing (PICO) National. He was instrumental in bringing CEASEFIRE/
LIFE LINE to Flint. He has devoted his life to assisting with health 
care, education, financial peace, nutrition, and home foreclosure 
recovery. Pastor Edwards strives to help the youth of the community to 
reach their full potential by developing social, economic and academic 
skills. He works diligently with local, state and federal officials to 
improve education, housing, and to curb violence and crime.
  Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me 
today and applaud the work of Pastor Ira G. Edwards, Sr. as he is 
honored by his congregation and his community. I pray that he will 
continue to spread the Gospel of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, for many, many 
years to come.

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