[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 177 (Friday, November 18, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2104]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  HONORING 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF MESSIAS TEMPLE CHURCH AND THE PASTORAL 
            ANNIVERSARY OF SUFFRAGAN BISHOP HARRY S. GRAYSON

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                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 18, 2011

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
honorable Suffragan Bishop Harry S. Grayson, who is celebrating his 
60th birthday and 20th year of service as the pastor of The Messias 
Temple Church, as well as the 70th Anniversary of the Church in the 
community of Ypsilanti, Michigan. As friends and family and community 
members gathered last Saturday on November 12, 2011 to honor both 
anniversaries, my wife Deborah and I joined the service to honor the 
church and Pastor Grayson's service and care to the Ypsilanti 
community.
  Time tends to show us what is really important in life. Since the 
founding of the Messias Temple on November 10, 1940, four pastors have 
dedicated their lives to spreading the Gospel and ministering to the 
well-being of the congregation and the community. As the church family 
grew in size, so did the church's community outreach and it was the 
spirit and leadership of these ministers, including Pastor Grayson, 
that have made the difference.
  Over the past 20 years, many programs that promote the joy of giving 
have been initiated under the fine leadership of Pastor Grayson. They 
include the sharing of hot meals, holiday food giveaways, and vital 
prison, shelter, and re-entry ministries. I also applaud his commitment 
to promoting education in Ypsilanti through tutoring, financial 
assistance programs, and educational children activities. Pastor 
Grayson and his lovely wife Mary have raised their three children in 
the same place where he came of age and found his call for the 
ministry. His compassion, tireless efforts, and loving care for the 
Ypsilanti community is extraordinary and I am not alone in celebrating 
the amazing positive impact the church and Pastor Grayson have had in 
my district.

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