[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 77 (Wednesday, May 21, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING DR. HELEN J.H. STEPHENS

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 21, 2014

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
extraordinary life of Dr. Helen J.H. Stephens. Known throughout the Bay 
Area and the Nation as a great gospel singer, community leader and as a 
dedicated mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Dr. Stephens has 
left an indelible mark on our community. With her passing on May 3, 
2014, we look to the outstanding quality of her life's work and the 
inspiring role she played in many lives through gospel music and as a 
spiritual leader.
  Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Dr. Helen Stephens began performing 
at a young age. While attending Booker T. Washington High School, Dr. 
Stephens played the piano for weekly assembly programs, sang in the 
school choir, performed in operettas and was active in the school band. 
After she obtained a music degree from Dillard University, she married 
Arnold E. Stephens in 1950, and then moved to Oakland, California three 
years later.
  Once in California, Dr. Stephens quickly began organizing many 
successful vocal groups, including the ``Stephens Singers'' in 1965 and 
``The Voices of Christ'' in 1969. ``The Voices of Christ'' began with 
23 members and quickly grew to 92 within a year. The choir has recorded 
eight albums and has received numerous awards. ``The Voices of Christ'' 
was inducted into the Bay Area Gospel Academy Awards Hall of Fame.
  Among Dr. Helen Stephens' many accomplishments, she was an active 
community leader and organizer. She founded the Northern California 
Chapter of the Gospel Workshop of America and was the chapter 
representative. In addition. she taught at several colleges, including 
the College of Marin in Kentfield and at Dominican College, and she 
introduced and incorporated gospel music into the curriculum for 
California State University, East Bay.
  Dr. Helen Stephens has left a lasting imprint on our society and 
communities of faith. In 1992, Dr. Stephens was appointed to the 
National Board of Directors of the Gospel Music Workshop of America in 
Chicago, Illinois. In addition, she served on the Marin Arts Council in 
Marin County, serving two one-year terms. For her extraordinary work, 
Dr. Stephens was recognized with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Music 
Ministry from the Belle Grove Theological Seminary in 2004.
  Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes and honors an 
outstanding individual and gospel leader, Dr. Helen J.H. Stephens. Her 
dedication and efforts have helped to spread the inspiration of gospel 
music and have impacted so many lives throughout the nation. I join all 
of Helen's loved ones in celebrating her incredible life. She will be 
deeply missed.

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