[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 70 (Friday, May 9, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E734]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING DR. CHARLES R. ROOTS
_____
HON. JEFF DENHAM
of california
in the house of representatives
Friday, May 9, 2014
Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and honor Dr.
Charles R. Roots on his retirement and to recognize his tireless work
as the Senior Pastor of the Free Methodist Church in Ripon. Ministering
to thousands, Pastor Roots has earned the respect of fellow clergy and
civic leaders alike.
Although born in New Haven, Connecticut, on September 5, 1948, he
claims California as his home. In 1969, he began his military career as
an enlisted Marine. He served with numerous commands during his nine
years in the Marine Corps: AE-A School, NAS Jacksonville, Florida; VMFA
531, MCAS El Toro, California; VMCJ 1, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan; VMCJ1 det A
(Cubi Point, the Philippines and Da Nang, South Vietnam); VMA 133, NAS
Alameda, California; and 4th LAAM Battalion, Fresno, California. He was
commissioned as a Navy Chaplain December 23, 1983. After attending the
Navy Chaplain Corps Basic Course, NS Newport, Rhode Island, he served
the following commands: Chaplain, MAG 39, MCB Camp Pendleton,
California; Command Chaplain, USS White Plains (AFS4), NS Guam; Base
Chaplain, NCS Stockton, California; Post-Graduate School, School of
Theology at Claremont, California; and Chaplain at NS Rota, Spain.
Within the active naval reserve he has served as: Chaplain, 1st MEFREL
220, Treasure Island, San Francisco, California; Battalion Chaplain,
1st Battalion 14th Marines Artillery, Alameda, California; Battalion
Chaplain, 2nd Battalion 23rd Marines Infantry, Encino, California;
Plans and Policy, Navy Chief of Chaplains Office, Washington, DC (The
Pentagon); Command Chaplain, NARC, San Jose, California; and Command
Chaplain, I MACE, Camp Pendleton, California.
In November of 2002 he was called back to active duty for two years
in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi
Freedom (OIF) I & II. He served as the Commanding Officer of 1st MEFREL
220, NMCRC Alameda, California. He was chosen by the Reserve Officers
Association (ROA) as ``Chaplain of the Year'' for 2004. His last duty
assignment was the Wing Chaplain for the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, New
Orleans, Louisiana. He retired in September 2008 after 34 years of
total service.
During his illustrious military career, he has received many awards,
including: Legion of Merit; Defense Meritorious Service Medal;
Meritorious Service Medal; Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal; Navy/
Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd Award); Joint Meritorious Unit
Award; Navy Unit Commendation; Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation;
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal; Navy Fleet Marine Force Ribbon;
Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal; National Defense Service Medal
with two stars; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Vietnam Campaign
Medal with one star; Iraq Campaign Medal with EGA device; Global War on
Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with EGA device; Global War on Terrorism
Service Medal; Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal; Navy/
Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment with three stars; Navy/Marine Corps
Overseas Service Ribbon; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hour glass and
Mobilization devices; Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with
bracket and palm leaf; Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation with bracket
and palm leaf; Vietnam Service Medal; Marine Corps Rifle Expert Badge;
and Marine Corps Pistol Expert Badge.
During his service, he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Radio
and Television Broadcasting from San Jose State University in 1976. He
continued his education by graduating from Western Evangelical Seminary
in Portland, Oregon with a Masters of Divinity in Biblical Studies in
1979. In 1995, he earned his Doctor of Ministry Degree in Pastoral
Counseling from the School of Theology at Claremont. Charles R. Roots
is an ordained minister through the Free Methodist Church of North
America.
Dr. Roots settled in Ripon, California and is the Senior Pastor of
the Free Methodist Church. As a volunteer, he serves as the chaplain
for the Ripon Police Department and is a member of the International
Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC). In addition, he is the past
president of the Ripon Ministerial Association; the Police Activities
League (PAL); a past director of the Ripon Chamber of Commerce, and
numerous other community organizations. He belongs to the Military
Chaplains Association (MCA); The Naval Reserve Association (NRA); the
Reserve Officers Association (ROA); the Marine Corps Association; the
Marine Corps Club of Stockton, California; the Joe Rosenthal Marine
Corps Combat Correspondents Association (MCCCA); the vice president of
the Ripon Arts League (RAL); and the Society for the Preservation and
Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA).
During his spare time, he became a published author: The Sandwich
Generation: Adult Children Caring for Aging Parents. He also writes a
weekly column, Roots in Ripon, for the Ripon Record newspaper. He is
currently writing a historical novel about his great grandfather, Rev.
Daniel Thatcher Lake, a Civil War veteran and one of the last of the
Circuit Riding Preachers in the South.
Dr. Roots is married to the former Isaura Maria Cabral of Los Banos,
California. They have two married daughters, Laura Christine Spence and
Jennifer Kathleen Sousa, and five grandchildren.
Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Dr. Charles Roots for his
unwavering leadership, and recognizing his accomplishments and
contributions as Pastor of the Free Methodist Church. Dr. Roots serves
as an example of excellence to those in our community.
____________________