[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 109 (Friday, July 26, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR AND MEMORY OF REV. LANCE CHANEY OF ST. JOHN MISSIONARY BAPTIST 
                                 CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 26, 2013

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and 
memory of Rev. Lance Chaney, who led St. John Missionary Baptist Church 
in Boynton Beach, Florida, as its pastor for many years. Words cannot 
express how deeply sorry I am to hear of his untimely passing at the 
age of 56, following a long battle with prostate cancer. As a pastor, 
civic leader, and anti-violence activist, Rev. Chaney leaves behind a 
legacy of service that reflects his true dedication to the church and 
community.
  Before moving his family to Boynton Beach in 2002, Rev. Chaney served 
as the pastor of the Greater Antioch Baptist Church of Rock Island in 
Illinois. There, he helped establish a health clinic and a bookstore, 
which attracted hundreds of new worshipers. Rev. Chaney also served on 
the school board and the National Association for the Advancement of 
Colored People's (NAACP) board of directors.
  After a nationwide search, Rev. Chaney became the seventh pastor of 
St. John Missionary Baptist Church on the occasion of its 94th 
anniversary. He was an active pastor who will be remembered not only 
for his passionate sermons from the pulpit, but for working to expand 
the 104-year-old church's services and outreach. Under his leadership, 
a teen Bible study and church newsletter were established. In addition, 
Rev. Chaney was also a mentor to other clergy in the area, helping them 
grow their congregations.
  Rev. Chaney was a well-known and very popular figure in the Boynton 
Beach community. He helped thousands of families by opening and serving 
as the chairman of the Day Star Academy of Excellence, a K-5 public 
charter school, and Pathways to Prosperity, a non-profit rehabilitation 
center. He also hosted several back-to-school drives, parenting 
seminars, and health care screenings, and was known for giving out free 
bus passes and scholarships.
  Furthermore, Rev. Chaney worked tirelessly to improve the quality of 
life in Boynton Beach, as well as make it safer and more inclusive. He 
was an influential member of Boynton United, a community organization 
that works to prevent violent crime, and served on the Correction Task 
Force for the Criminal Justice Commission of Palm Beach County and 
Boynton Beach's Community Redevelopment Agency board until 2007. 
Additionally, Rev. Chaney was a speaker and panelist for countless 
other causes, including the Roots Cultural Festival, Martin Luther King 
Community Celebration, Save Darfur Coalition, and Haiti relief efforts.
  While battling cancer over the past five years, Rev. Chaney, who 
graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science 
degree in Business Administration, continued to pursue a master's 
degree from Howard University's School of Divinity. And, during his 
chemotherapy treatment, he constantly urged men to get screened for 
prostate cancer.
  Rev. Chaney is survived by his wife, Marilane, and his children, 
Lance Alexander, Ashley, and Allison. My thoughts and prayers go out to 
them, friends of the family, members of St. John Missionary Baptist 
Church, and the entire Boynton Beach community at this most difficult 
time.
  In Lance Chaney, God Almighty gave us a man of vision, courage, 
wisdom, and understanding. Each of us knew him in a different way, but 
he knew each of us in the same way, with great compassion and love.
  Mr. Speaker, Rev. Lance Chaney dedicated his life to serving his 
fellow man, and will be remembered for his tremendous ability to bring 
people together. It has been my great privilege to know his friendship. 
I now join all those whose lives he has touched in saying that he will 
be dearly missed.

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