[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.

                          ____________________