[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 156 (Thursday, December 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2040]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   A TRIBUTE TO REV. WALTER J. MORRIS

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS-

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 2, 2010

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Rev. Walter 
J. Morris.
  Born in Mobile, Alabama, Rev. Morris has always been committed to 
service to the elderly community and serving others. At a very young 
age, he showed great respect for all people and took an interest in 
serving others. This was instilled in him from his late parents, Johnny 
and Emma Morris, who believed in strong morals and values, and 
respecting oneself and others. He was raised in a very large family, 
and is number eight of twelve children. He was educated in the Mobile 
County public school system, and was also the first male to graduate 
from high school in his family.
  Rev. Morris went on to complete his education and graduated from the 
General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen Mechanics Institute's, 
``Building Construction Superintendence Program'' in 1973; Wilfred 
Academy Cosmetology School in 1993; New York Theological Seminary in 
1997; Blanton Peale Graduate Institute in ``Pastoral Care Awareness'' 
in 1997; and attended New York College Alliance Theological Seminary, 
``Pastoral Ministry'' and ``Biblical Studies'' from 2000 to 2003. 
Professionally, his first job was at Robert Hall Clothes Store. Later 
he transitioned to H.L. Lazar Inc., where he worked for more than 
twenty-one years, initially employed as a messenger. During the first 
sixty days he received two promotions. Rev. Morris received numerous 
promotions, including Field Service Supervisor in the construction 
department. He was promoted to Construction Superintendent in 1974, to 
be named the first Black Superintendent in the company until they went 
out of business in 1990. He moved on and continued to work in the 
construction industry until 2006, until retirement.
  Rev. Morris has always been a Christian; his first church was Mt. 
Pleasant Baptist Church, in Mobile, Alabama. He continued his life of 
ministry at the Bethany Baptist Church, where he served as an Associate 
Minister under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. William A. Jones, Jr. who 
licensed him to preach in 1998, and ordained him in 2006. Rev. Morris 
has been in the community and active at the Bethany Baptist Church for 
over twenty years in various ministries, visiting the sick and shut-in, 
praying for people and preaching midweek services.
  Rev. Morris served as the Chairman for the clergy group ``The 
Community Benefit Agreement'' for the Atlantic Yard Project, and is one 
of the original signatories. He feels that it is an honor to be able to 
help someone and encourage our youth to know that there is more to life 
than going to jail. As of five months ago, he started a new church, The 
Anointed Church with a Vision, in the Brownsville area, where he is the 
current and active Assistant Pastor.
  God also blessed him seven years ago with a lovely wife, Barbara 
Morris, and step-daughter, Karen Miller where they currently reside in 
Brooklyn, New York.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
achievements of Rev. Walter J. Morris.

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