[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 55 (Friday, April 4, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CONGRATULATING REVEREND MARK A. DENNIS, JR.

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 4, 2014

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Rev. Mark 
A. Dennis, Jr., Senior Pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Evanston, 
Illinois.
  Ten years ago, this visionary leader took his place as the eleventh 
Senior Pastor of the historic Second Baptist Church, Evanston's first 
black Baptist Church, organized in 1882. He was called to provide 
greater leadership in spiritual formation, strategic visioning, 
community development, and pastoral care.
  Reverend Dennis came with outstanding academic and professional 
credentials. He holds several degrees including a Master of Divinity, 
cum laude, from Howard University School of Divinity; a Master of Music 
from Bowling Green University; and a Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse 
College. Many honors have been bestowed on him, including admission to 
the prestigious Preacher's Hall of Fame at Morehouse College.
  Second Baptist is a highly-respected Church in the Evanston community 
with a dedicated congregation whose vision is to be ``A beacon of 
light: A Christ-centered Church celebrating faith, freedom, stewardship 
and the social responsibility of caring for souls.''
  Reverend Dennis has more than lived up to that mission, reaching well 
beyond the walls of Second Baptist to become an inspiring and energetic 
leader in all aspects of the religious and civic life of our community.
  Under Reverend Dennis's leadership, Second Baptist partners with my 
synagogue, Beth Emet, on meaningful youth programs including a joint 
Civil Rights Pilgrimage to the Southern United States to visit civil 
rights landmarks. Along with Temple Beth Israel in Skokie, Second 
Baptist hosts a weekly soup kitchen. Reverend Dennis has spearheaded 
programs at Second Baptist that lift our entire community, such as 
``Cradle to Career,'' which helps young people to take full and equal 
advantage of the opportunities before them and Pioneering Healthier 
Communities, a partnership with the City of Evanston, the YMCA, and 
health providers, which is improving individual lives and community 
well-being. Reverend Dennis serves as a leader in Interfaith 
organizations and efforts in our region.
  Reverend Dennis has been a treasured friend and mentor to countless 
people inside and out of his congregation, including me. I congratulate 
him on his tenth anniversary as Senior Pastor at Second Baptist Church 
and wish him many more years in the pulpit and the community.

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