[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 27 (Friday, February 17, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING THE 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY OF REVEREND AND MRS. R.T. 
                                MITCHELL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 17, 2012

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with sincere respect that I rise to 
congratulate Reverend R.T. Mitchell, Pastor of New Revelation 
Missionary Baptist Church in Gary, Indiana, and his wife, Mrs. Irene 
Robinson Mitchell, on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary. 
The members of New Revelation will be honoring Reverend and Mrs. 
Mitchell with a celebration of their anniversary and the renewal of 
their marriage vows on Saturday, February 25, 2012, at The Chateau in 
Merrillville, Indiana.
  Reverend Mitchell was born in Pittsview, Alabama, and graduated from 
Glenville High School. He continued his education at Moody Bible 
Institute and Indiana Christian Bible College, graduating with a degree 
in External Bible Study. The Pastor also holds a Bachelor of Theology 
degree and has pursued significant additional Evangelical studies.
  Reverend Mitchell was called into the ministry in May 1975 before 
being ordained on April 6, 1977. On January 22, 1978, Reverend Mitchell 
became the Pastor of New Revelation Missionary Baptist Church and has 
served in that capacity for the past thirty-four years. During his time 
at New Revelation, Pastor Mitchell has taken on many responsibilities 
and had much success. He has served as President of the Baptist 
Ministers' Conference of Gary and Vicinity and as President of the 
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Baptist State Convention of Indiana. 
Reverend Mitchell has also served on numerous boards and committees for 
organizations in Gary and throughout Northwest Indiana including: the 
Northwest Indiana Food Bank, the Thelma Marshall Children's Home, the 
Second Chance Foundation of Gary, and the Calumet Project. He currently 
serves on the City of Gary Zoning Board, and he has served as President 
of the Interfaith Federation Clergy Caucus and as a Chaplain of the 
Gary Police Department. Throughout the years, Reverend Mitchell has 
also been heavily involved with ministering to the incarcerated in his 
community. For his outstanding contributions to the community and his 
commitment to civil rights, in 2010, Reverend Mitchell was honored with 
the prestigious Drum Major Award by the Gary Frontiers Service Club at 
its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast.
  Mrs. Irene Mitchell, was born and raised in East Chicago, Indiana. As 
the youngest child of Albert Ervin and Mary Jane Robinson, she was born 
into a family that loved the Lord and served Him with joy. As a young 
person, Irene was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, where she 
participated in various organizations. Later on, she went on to serve 
as the President of the Gospel Chorus and was involved in Sunday School 
and with the Nurses.
  Education has always been important to Mrs. Mitchell. Following her 
graduation from East Chicago Roosevelt High School, Mrs. Mitchell later 
attended Indiana University through its extension located in East 
Chicago and has earned her Certificate of Completion from Moody Bible 
Institute. Additionally, Mrs. Mitchell's devout faith and eagerness to 
learn has since led her to participate in numerous seminars and 
religious classes.
  Mrs. Mitchell has served as President of the Minister Wives Coterie 
of Gary and as Secretary of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial 
Baptist State Convention of Indiana, Women's Department. At New 
Revelation, she has also served as President of the General Mission and 
as Chairperson of New Revelation Youth Ministry, and she has also been 
involved with the Men and Women Day Service and One Church One School. 
In addition to various ministries in the community, Mrs. Mitchell is 
currently the Sunday School teacher at New Revelation and is a member 
of Ruth Circle and Christian Education.
  Reverend and Mrs. Mitchell are the proud parents of two daughters, 
Arlene and Artice, and six adoring grandchildren: Robert, Jerrel, 
Jeremy, Christian, Ashton, and Isaiah.
  My colleagues, Pastor and Mrs. Mitchell have led lives dedicated to 
Our Lord, to each other, and to their family. They have tirelessly 
ministered to their congregation and have selflessly given of 
themselves, their time, and their talents to the greater community of 
Northwest Indiana. Few remain untouched by their generous natures and 
limitless devotion to be of service. I am very fortunate and proud to 
consider them friends.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to consider Reverend R.T. Mitchell and his 
wonderful life companion, Irene, as my friends. At this time I ask that 
you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating 
Reverend and Mrs. Mitchell as they celebrate their 50th wedding 
anniversary. Their unselfish and lifelong dedication to their church, 
their community, and to each other, is worthy of our admiration, and I 
wish them many more happy years to come.

                          ____________________