[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 38 (Thursday, March 6, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H2246]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING REV. DR. LAFAYETTE FERNANDEZ CHANEY, SR.

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, with great sympathy and sadness, I rise 
to pay tribute to the late Dr. Lafayette Fernandez Chaney, Sr., the 
extraordinary leader who touched the lives of many through his 
education and religious endeavors.
  Under his leadership, Damascus Missionary Baptist Church in Houston 
experienced tremendous growth, both spiritually and financially. The 
beloved Rev. Dr. Chaney was requested to join our Lord on Friday, 
February 28, 2014; and he was 96 years old.
  He gained his bachelor of arts and his bachelor of divinity from Paul 
Quinn, got a master of arts degree from Texas Southern University, 
studied for his doctorate at Baylor, and received his doctorate from 
Texas Southern University.
  He was a teacher. He taught mathematics and science at Moore High 
School. He taught it in Waco at the Oakwood Elementary School. He 
taught at Waltrip Senior High School. He loved children.
  He was someone who was a builder. He had professional memberships in 
a lot of educational associations. He was pastor at a number of 
churches, but his greatest gift and his greatest cherished memory was 
the pastorship for 50 years at Damascus Missionary Baptist Church.
  Even when the church was without a home and he had to hold the 
congregation together to help build the beautiful church that we have, 
he was there to support and grow that church.
  He, as well, was someone who enjoyed leadership in a variety of 
organizations and was courageous enough to appoint the first female 
minister at the Damascus Missionary Baptist Church, Evangelist LaSandra 
Easter.
  I enjoyed, Mr. Speaker, my time with Pastor Chaney and visiting him 
at his last church commemoration--his anniversary and the church 
anniversary. It was my pleasure to be with him to share in the glory of 
the celebration of his wonderful life. He has run a great race. He has 
finished the course. He has gone on to receive his great reward.
  I ask this body to have a moment of silence in his honor.
  Thank you, Reverend Chaney, for being a great Houstonian and a great 
Texan and, yes, a great American.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the late Rev. Dr. Lafayette 
Fernandez Chaney, Sr., the extraordinary leader who touched the lives 
of many through his educational and eccliastical endeavors. Under his 
leadership, Damascus Missionary Baptist Church in Houston experienced 
tremendous growth, both spiritually and financially. The beloved Rev. 
Dr. Chaney was requested to join our Lord on Friday, February 28, 2014 
as he departed this life at 9:30am. He was 96 years old.
  Lafayette Fernandez Chaney, Sr., was born March 27, 1917 in Waco, 
Texas to proud and loving parents, Adell and Tom W. Chaney. He was 
educated in the public schools of Waco and Le Vega Independent School 
District, graduating from Moore High School in Waco, Texas.
  Rev. Dr. Chaney received both his Bachelors of Arts and Bachelors of 
Divinity Degrees from Paul Quinn College. He received his Master of 
Arts Degree from Texas Southern University and studied in the doctorate 
program at Baylor University from 1968 to 1975. In August 1982, he 
received his Doctorate Degree in Higher Education from Texas Southern 
University.
  Rev. Dr. Chaney taught mathematics and science at Moore High School 
in Waco, Texas for twelve years and was principal of Oakwood Elementary 
School in Waco, Texas for eleven years. From 1972 to 1986, he taught 
mathematics and psychology at Waltrip Senior High School in Houston. 
During the same period, he was an adjunct professor of mathematics and 
psychology for Houston Community College.
  Reverend Dr. Chaney's professional memberships and honors include: 
past president of Waco Classroom Teachers Association, Waco 
Administrators Association and the Central Texas District Teachers 
Association. In 1965, he was nominated for ``Who's Who'' amongst 
professional men in Texas. He was a member of the American Association 
of University Professors, Phi Delta Kappa and Alpha Phi Alpha 
Fraternities.
  He was pastor of the following churches: Little Tehuacana Baptist 
Church in rural Waco, Texas; Sweethome Baptist Church in Mexia, Texas; 
First Baptist Church in Thornton, Texas; Second Baptist Church in 
Itasca, Texas, Shiloh Baptist Church in Madisonville, Texas and served 
as Senior Pastor for 50 plus years at Damascus Missionary Baptist 
Church in Houston, Texas.
  He served as Senior Advisor of the Youth Convention of the General 
Baptist Convention of Texas, Teacher of the Youth Department of the 
National Baptist Convention of America, Director of the Ushers and 
Nurses of the Independent General Association of Texas, member of the 
Evangelical Board of the General Baptist Convention of Texas, and 
President of Union Bible College in Houston.
  His crowning glory was completing his life as Senior Pastor of 
Damascus Missionary Baptist Church. During this time, he successfully 
held the congregation together during the homeless years from May 25, 
2003 through September 2, 2007, while the church's new home at its 
current location was being constructed.
  Rev. Dr. Chaney also made history by appointing the first female 
minister at Damascus Missionary Baptist Church, Evangelist LaSandra 
Easter.
  Mr. Speaker, Rev. Dr. Chaney lived a consequential life and made a 
difference. He has run the great race; he has finished the course. He 
has gone on to receive his great reward: a place in the Lord's loving 
arms.
  I ask that a moment of silence be observed in memory of the Rev. Dr. 
Lafayette Fernandez Chaney, Sr.

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