[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 153 (Wednesday, October 30, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1600]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING BISHOP THOMAS LANIER HOYT, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 30, 2013

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay 
tribute to the life and legacy of Bishop Thomas Lanier Hoyt, Jr., the 
48th Bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church and 
presiding prelate of the seventh Episcopal district who recently passed 
away. While I am deeply saddened by his passing, I know his legacy will 
live through his message of faith and his dedication to his ministry.
   Bishop Hoyt, a native son of Alabama, was installed as the senior 
CME bishop on June 30, 2010. His journey in leadership with the 
denomination began in 1994 when he was first elected to the Episcopacy. 
Throughout his tenure he took on countless leadership roles in the 
denomination. He pastored several CME churches in New York and North 
Carolina during the course of his career and until his death, Bishop 
Hoyt remained at the forefront of the CME church's efforts to change 
lives throughout the Nation.
   Bishop Hoyt was also an accomplished theological scholar. He earned 
various degrees including a Ph.D. from Duke University and a Doctor of 
Divinity from Trinity College. Bishop Hoyt was a professor of theology 
for more than 25 years. His academic career included stints at the 
Interdenominational Theological Center, The School of Religion at 
Howard University and Hartford Seminary. His best known lectures were 
the Lyman Beecher Lectures at the Yale Divinity School in 1993.
   Bishop Hoyt furthered his academic pursuits through extensive 
research and writing. He wrote and published more than 40 articles for 
professional journals and publications throughout his lifetime. He also 
co-authored and partnered with other scholars to publish various books 
including ``Stony the Road we Trod: An African-American Biblical 
Interpretation.''
   As a result of his extraordinary accomplishments, Bishop Hoyt 
received numerous awards and honors which included a visit to Pope John 
Paul II with a delegation from the National Council of Churches. He 
also served as a delegate to the World Council of Churches in Porto, 
Alegre, Brazil and as the CME representative at the World Council of 
Churches meeting on Faith and Order in Spain.
   On behalf of my home state of Alabama, and a grateful Nation, I am 
honored to pay tribute to Bishop Hoyt. This extraordinary Man of God 
was indeed a good and faithful servant. His life was a perfect 
illustration of his passion for ministry and leadership. Through the 
years, he was guided by his faith and his commitment to the CME church 
and we are indeed grateful for all that he has left us. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in celebrating the life of Bishop Thomas Lanier 
Hoyt, Jr.

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