[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 9, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S5430]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  REMEMBERING THE REVEREND JOSEPH DAY

 Mr. SESSIONS. Madam President, it is appropriate that the 
Senate take note on occasion of those who ably and honestly serve the 
country and their fellow man. Our government has many who do so every 
day.
  The Reverend Joseph Day was born in rural Dixons Mill, AL, being one 
of eight children. He grew up in Toulminville, near Mobile, AL, and was 
a contemporary of baseball great Hank Aaron. They played baseball 
together and both attended the Greater Morningstar Missionary Baptist 
Church.
  He started work as a U.S. government civilian employee at Brookley 
Air Force Base in Mobile. When Brookley closed, Day transferred to what 
is now Robins Air Force Base, in Warner Robins, GA, retiring after 40 
years of service. After returning to Mobile, he then spent 17 years 
working for Volkert, Inc., in Mobile.
  He was passionate about helping others. He served as executive 
director of the Macon, GA chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership 
Conference, and while in Macon was called to preach. Returning to 
Mobile, he founded the House of Joshua Christian Center Church where he 
pastored until his death. His influence is demonstrated in the 
remarkable fact that the Day family has produced several Christian 
ministers.
  He was an activist and a leader in the causes he believed in. In 
1991, he stood for 7 hours before bulldozers to save a spring fed lake. 
In the end, the Mobile City Council voted to save the lake and named it 
Day Lake in his honor.
  His wife of 65 years, Ruby Nell James Day, predeceased him. She was a 
wonderful and beloved woman and a member of the respected James family 
of Mobile.
  Reverend Day's funeral service was a true celebration of a remarkable 
life well-lived. Speakers at the service included former Mobile Mayor 
Sam Jones, State Representative James Busky, State Senator Vivian 
Figures, and City Councilman Fred Richardson. I was also honored to 
speak. Several prominent pastors from Mobile conducted the service. 
They were: Ronald McCree, pastor--Greater Morning Star Baptist Church 
(Eulogy); Clinton Johnson, pastor--New Shiloh Baptist Church 
(Officiating); Fleet Bell, pastor--Rock of Faith Baptist Church (Song); 
Darlett-Lucy Gulley, pastor--New Life Methodist Church (Prayer of 
Comfort); Minister Ronald Suggs, Greater Morning Star Baptist Church 
(Old Testament Reading); and Minister Gregory Palmer, Sr., Greater 
Morning Star Baptist Church (New Testament Reading). These pastors have 
earned the respect of the community over many years for their faith and 
service to others.
  I came to know and respect Reverend Day's son, Eric, when I hired him 
as the law enforcement coordinator for the U.S. attorney's office in 
Mobile, where he still works. He reflects the integrity and faith of 
his father. I am also proud that Eric's wonderful wife Valerie Day has 
served as my field representative since I was elected to the Senate 
almost 18 years ago.
  This Nation must continue to produce leaders like Reverend Day who, 
in turn, produce families of energy, drive, faith and service. It is 
they who provide the vision and faith, and the service, that are the 
qualities that make America exceptional. 

                          ____________________