[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 100 (Wednesday, June 25, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4001-S4002]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                EIGHTH STREET MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

 Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, it is with great pleasure that I 
honor the Eighth Street Missionary Baptist Church in North Little Rock, 
AR. In December of 2014, Eighth Street Missionary Baptist Church will 
celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding.
  In 1914, several members and deacons from an existing congregation 
set forward to plant a new church in North Little Rock. The new 
congregation secured a building and immediately the doors of the Eighth 
Street Missionary Baptist Church were open and they began to receive 
members.
  In 1954, under the leadership of Rev. S.J. Moss, Eighth Street 
Missionary Baptist Church began construction on

[[Page S4002]]

a new building at 800 Hazel Street in North Little Rock, only to lose 
this structure to a devastating fire in 1958. The church met at a local 
school until their church could be rebuilt.
  In 1969, the church was forced to make a difficult decision about 
their facility--make extensive repairs or change locations due to 
requirements of a community development project. Church leadership 
decided to sell the property and Rev. R.T. Sawyer authorized the 
purchase of a new lot on 9th and Hickory Streets. Less than a year 
later, the church held their groundbreaking ceremony for yet another 
building where they worshipped until 2014.
  It brings me great pleasure to announce that just recently, the 
church held the dedication ceremony for their newly constructed worship 
center. The Eighth Street Missionary Baptist Church has a rich history 
of land ownership, leadership, and overcoming tremendous obstacles. 
Standing as a fixture in the North Little Rock community, the 
congregation of Eighth Street Missionary Baptist Church will continue 
to demonstrate both their strong faith and devotion to their 
parishioners and the community.
  I have great pride in the Eighth Street Missionary Baptist Church's 
continued growth and the vibrancy of their congregation. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in congratulating the Eighth Street Missionary 
Baptist Church on its centennial anniversary, with many successful 
years to come.

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