[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 44 (Friday, March 16, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E371]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH, LAS VEGAS, 
                                 NEVADA

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                          HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 16, 2012

  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 
70th anniversary of Second Baptist Church in Las Vegas, Nevada.
  On February 22, 1942, the Second Baptist Church was founded by 
Verinette Anderson, Willie Harris, F.W. Wilson, Reverend and Sister 
B.T. Mayfield, Sisters Lola Hayes and Helen Polk and the Robinson 
Family. The group met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robinson to organize 
the church, with Reverend Mayfield as the first pastor. Members 
contributed their own money to purchase a tent for shelter on a parcel 
of land where the old sanctuary presently stands and where they 
conducted services for approximately nine months. Under Reverend 
Mayfield's guidance, the membership grew to more than 300 people and 
the congregation had the ability to build a church edifice.
  Over the past 70 years, membership at Second Baptist Church has 
increased significantly and continues to grow as they pride themselves 
on progress, leadership, faith, and love. In 1991, Reverend Jesse L. 
Jackson named them the ``Miracle on Madison Avenue'' to honor their 
service and devotion to Christian values.
  In addition to the pastors of Second Baptist Church, there are 
deacons and deaconesses who help with the preparation of candidates for 
baptism and also look after the church's widows and orphans. They 
strive to enhance the spiritual life of the church by visiting the sick 
and shut-in, offering them prayer, guidance, and financial aid upon 
request. The deacons and deaconesses of Second Baptist Church 
strengthen the community by working faithfully together with church 
members, ministries, and associate ministers.
  Ministries also are an invaluable part of Second Baptist Church. They 
fulfill a wide range of duties including overseeing the Christian 
education programs, music selection, and greeting guests. These 
congregants have a love for people, a heart to serve others, and a 
willingness to be faithful. They serve in ministries for men, youth, 
women and mothers to ensure that every individual has a place and feels 
at home.
  In 2009, during the 67th Church Anniversary Celebration, Reverend D. 
Edward Chaney was installed as the seventh pastor of Second Baptist 
Church. Reverend Chaney came to the church with a wealth of biblical 
knowledge, high energy, extraordinary vision, and strong outreach. With 
his guidance and direction, Second Baptist continues to reach for 
higher ground in its ministry and service to others.
  Second Baptist is a beacon of light for its members and the community 
as a whole. They have flourished as a ministry by leading, teaching, 
and praying, and honoring the individuals who built the foundation of 
their church.
  As the Representative for Nevada's First Congressional District, I 
proudly recognize Second Baptist Church for 70 years of dedicated 
service to the community of Las Vegas and I ask my colleagues to join 
me in celebrating Second Baptist Church's 70th anniversary.

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