[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 127 (Wednesday, September 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1564-E1565]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF REVEREND DOCTOR WALLACE S. HARTSFIELD, 
                                  SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 19, 2012

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise today in recognition of the 
achievements of Reverend Doctor Wallace S. Hartsfield, Sr. a minister, 
dedicated community activist, veteran, civil servant, compassionate 
role model, and a member of the Fifth District of Missouri, which I am 
deeply honored to represent. Doctor Hartsfield was born in Atlanta, GA 
and at an early age the family moved to Jacksonville, FL, where he 
received his element. and secondary education, graduating from Stanton 
High School.
  After a three-year tour of duty in the United States Armed Services, 
he entered Clark College in Atlanta, GA and graduated with a Bachelor 
of Arts Degree in Elementary Education with minors in Religion and 
Psychology. He was listed in Who's Who in American Colleges and 
Universities in his Junior and Senior Years. In September 1954 he 
entered Gammon Theological Seminary from which he graduated with 
Degrees of Bachelor and Masters of Divinity.
  Dr. Hartsfield has held pastorates in Pickens, SC; Brunswick, GA 
Bartow, FL; Kansas City, MO; and Wichita, KS. Upon the request of 
Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church of Kansas City, MO, Dr. 
Hartsfield returned to assume the pastorate for the second time in 1972 
and served until December of 2007 as Senior Pastor, He retired having 
served 41 years as Pastor of Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church. 
Doctor Hartsfield now holds the title of Pastor Emeritus, and his son, 
Wallace II, was appointed Senior Pastor.
  This week, Dr. Hartsfield is to be inducted into the Missouri Walk of 
Fame during a reception as part of the Congressional Black Caucus 
Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference, an event held to honor the 
achievements of African-Americans who have made significant 
contributions to Missouri and the nation. Because of his sage 
understanding of the ills and gifts of the people in the urban core, he 
is frequently called the ``Godfather'' of the African-Ameitan 
community.

[[Page E1565]]

  He is the Vice President-at-Large of the National Baptist Convention 
of America, Inc., Past President of the General Baptist State 
Convention of MO/KS/NE; Past Chairman of the Congress of National Black 
Churches and current Board Member of the Congress of National Black 
Churches. He has served as a Commissioner of Highway and Transportation 
for the State of Missouri and to the Municipal Judicial Commission for 
Jackson County. He also serves as an Executive Board member of the Jazz 
District Redevelopment Corporation.
  Dr. Hartsfield is highly sought after by national, state, and local 
public servants as an advisor because of the fellowship he has among 
black leaders and clergy. He also is in much demand as a guest speaker 
in many areas nationally. He has served as adjunct Professor and guest 
lecturer at numerous colleges and universities across the nation. Dr. 
Hartsfield has served and currently serves on several Boards of 
Directors for various colleges and organizations. He is the recipient 
of numerous honors and awards. In January 2008, I was proud to 
introduce a bill in Congress to rename the Parkway Post Office in my 
Kansas City district to the Wallace S. Hartsfield, Sr. Post Office.
  He is married to the former Matilda Hopkins of Brunswick, GA. He and 
Mrs. Hartsfield are the parents of four children, Pamela Faith, Danise 
Hope, Ruby Love, and Wallace S. Hartsfield, II. They are the proud 
grandparents of seven and great-grand parents of five.
  For those reasons and more, it is indeed an honor and privilege to 
welcome and congratulate Rev. Dr. Wallace Hartsfield, Sr. on his 
induction into the 2012 Missouri Walk of Fame.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in expressing our appreciation to 
Reverend Doctor Wallace Hartsfield, Sr. and his endless commitment to 
serving the residents of the State of Missouri and the Greater Kansas 
City Metropolitan Area. He is a true role model, not just to the 
African-American community in Missouri, but to the entire community and 
the nation. May his success serve as a stepping stone for many other 
African-Americans eager to be just as successful in their endeavors. 
While it is but a small acknowledgement for all of the work he has 
done, it is a heartfelt gesture, taking strength from the many lives he 
has touched in our hometown.

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