[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 151 (Thursday, November 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1983-E1984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING REVEREND DeFOREST B. SOARIES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 2010

  Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, Reverend DeForest B. Soaries has dedicated 
his life to improving the lives of others. Whether it was organizing a 
campaign in college to stop drug use on campus, starting non-profit 
groups to improve the lives of his church community or working for the 
Federal Government to improve the voting system, he has been and will 
continue to be a true asset to the state of New Jersey. And while we 
were once adversaries in a political campaign, I am honored now to call 
him a good friend.
  Reverend Soaries' leadership positions within our community, State 
and Federal Governments show the commitment he has to helping people 
move forward. As the Secretary of State for New Jersey, he was the 
first African-American male to serve as a constitutional officer and 
worked across party lines to achieve progress in the government, 
including increased funding for the arts.
  His time as a Secretary of State and his years of ministry prepared 
him to be the first chairman for the Federal Election Assistance 
Commission. The agency was created to help improve the election system 
in America and to stay ahead of the curve on technological advancements 
in voting. Reverend Soaries' character was tested as he helped get the 
agency off the ground without the resources originally promised. While 
not all of the plans were accomplished during his time as chairman, 
Reverend Soaries did lay the ground work for the operation of the EAC.
  I have appreciated Reverend Soaries insight and collaboration with my 
efforts to enact election reform. His contributions have strengthened 
my election reform legislation, and I greatly value his efforts.
  Reverend Soaries has also made significant contribution to his 
community and the congregation of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln 
Gardens over the last twenty years. He has and is continuing to help 
create better family units by encouraging people to become foster 
parents or adopt. He is also creating new homes for low and moderate 
income families, while providing numerous financial and employment 
support groups to meet the needs of the community. Recently, he hosted 
a program that allowed those who had run into trouble with the law to 
come to church and deal with their pending arrest warrants or other 
legal issues in a safe environment.
  The First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens has grown from a parish 
of a few to over 6,000 people. However the goals of improving the 
community have not changed. Reverend Soaries has helped the church 
maintain their goals of ``spiritual growth, educational excellence and 
economic empowerment'' through his continuous dedication to creating a 
debt free parish. He has created a four part program called ``dfree'' 
that teaches people how to live a financially responsible life and get 
out of debt. Reverend Soaries facilitated the construction of the 
inspirational $17 million church complex that makes possible a number 
of church programs and has greatly benefited the surrounding community 
and Central New Jersey.
  Reverend Soaries is a valued pastor of his parish and I congratulate 
him on the celebration of his 20th anniversary with the First Baptist 
Church of Lincoln Gardens, and look forward to the accomplishments yet 
to come in the next 20 years.

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