[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 127 (Wednesday, September 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1567]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       A TRIBUTE TO THE REVEREND DOCTOR DARAN HERNANDEZ MITCHELL

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 19, 2012

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and honor the 
Reverend Doctor Daran H. Mitchell, a man dedicated to serving God, his 
family, and the community. Dr. Mitchell is the pastor of the First 
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in the Bedford-Stuyvesant 
section of Brooklyn, which I represent.
  Dr. Mitchell earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion/Philosophy-
Liberal Studies from Bethune-Cookman College, a Master of Divinity 
degree from Hood Theological Seminary, and the Doctor of Ministry from 
the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union 
University.
  Since his appointment to the First A.M.E. Zion Church pulpit in 
October 2004, Dr. Mitchell has established a ministry to men, a 
ministry to women, a liturgical dance ministry, a media ministry, 
completed over $850,000 in capital improvements, restored the Historic 
Clock on its edifice, and is actively creating partnerships with 
churches and community leaders in the Borough of Brooklyn.
  An active member of the community, Dr. Mitchell presently serves as 
chairman of the Board of Conference Studies for the New York Annual 
Conference; member of the Board of Trustees of the New York Annual 
Conference; member, Board of Directors, Harriet Tubman Home; chairman 
of the Budget Committee, New York Annual Conference; chairman of the 
Finance Committee for the New York City District, and a member of the 
Brotherhood Pension Board for the A.M.E. Zion Church.
  Dr. Mitchell is married to the Reverend Lorraine Lynn Kennedy-
Mitchell and they are the proud parents of a 16 year-old son, Caylen.
  A gifted preacher, teacher, motivational speaker, builder, and 
community activist, Dr. Mitchell has sought to raise the spiritual 
climate and social consciousness of not only the congregation, but the 
community in general by becoming active in every aspect of community 
life. The community of Greensboro, North Carolina is gaining an 
extraordinary figure that will be greatly missed in Brooklyn.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the Reverend Dr. Daran H. 
Mitchell for his tremendous contributions to his congregants and the 
community.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the 
Reverend Dr. Daran H. Mitchell.

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