[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 129 (Friday, September 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO DR. FRENCH B. HARMON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 21, 2012

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
my good friend and role model, Dr. French B. Harmon, and to celebrate 
his fifth year serving at First Baptist Somerset on October 21st, 2012. 
Dr. Harmon has showed tremendous leadership and involvement in the 
Somerset community, substantially increasing the Church's membership 
within the last year, and strongly connecting with his congregation.
  Throughout his life, Dr. Harmon has always pursued learning. After 
graduating from Paul Blazer high school in Ashland, KY, he attended 
Marshall University, from where he received his Bachelor's degree. 
Seeking to continue his education further, Dr. Harmon went on to 
receive degrees from University of Louisville (MA in Education), 
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (MDtv and ThM), and Reformed 
Theological Seminary (DMin). Dr. Harmon has had a wealth of experience 
as a Christian leader, starting from his days in college as the Baptist 
Student Union President to becoming a Campus Minister to Pikeville 
College and Prestonsburg Community College.
  Dr. Harmon has been a strong leader in our community, organizing 
various mission trips that have greatly benefited those around him. 
This past June, Dr. Harmon led the First Baptist Somerset Church on a 
mission trip to Magoffin County after the town of West Liberty had been 
ravaged by multiple deadly tornadoes this past March. Harmon took a 
team of church members and a large load of building supplies to work on 
damaged homes, repair roofs, rebuild porches, and help get people back 
on their feet.
  Harmon has also stood up to the prescription drug epidemic in eastern 
Kentucky and has done his best to shed light on the issue. This past 
May he helped organize and lead the first ``Pulaski Cares March for 
Hope'' to spotlight the drug problem in the region and bring hope to 
those who were struggling with drug abuse.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. French B. 
Harmon, for his outstanding leadership and dedicated service to the 
Somerset community.

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