[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 58 (Tuesday, April 21, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E542]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        COMMENDING THE NEW RISING STAR MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARC A. VEASEY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 21, 2015

  Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in order to commend The New 
Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church led by Pastor Isadore Edwards, 
Jr. for establishing the Raymond B. Spencer Scholarship Fund that 
strives to not only assist young students in their pursuit of higher 
education but to embody the generous and selfless spirit of Dr. Raymond 
Bernard Spencer.
  Dr. Raymond Bernard Spencer was born in Houston, Texas on September 
21, 1964, as the youngest child to Manfred and Helen Spencer. After 
attending public schools in Houston, he went on to obtain his Bachelor 
of Science Degree from Oklahoma Christian College in 1989. He then 
completed the Master of Divinity Program at Southwestern Baptist 
Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, which I am proud to 
represent in Congress. Dr. Raymond Bernard Spencer continued in his 
education at Southwestern and obtained his doctoral degree in Theology 
in 2001. As a further distinction and honor, he served as the first 
full time African American pastor at Southwestern where he taught 
preaching in the School of Theology while also serving as adjunct 
professor of the Old and New Testament at Dallas Baptist University. 
Finally, his service to faith included Superintendent of Church School 
and Assistant to Pastor Isadore Davis, Jr. at The New Rising Star 
Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.
  There can be no doubt that Dr. Spencer was an exceptional student, 
respected seeker of knowledge, and follower in the path of God, but he 
was also a caring professor, a trusted friend, gifted vocalist, and a 
generous advocate of academic excellence for students and young people. 
He pursued all of these passions in life, faith, and academics with 
such staunch persistence and zeal until he was laid to rest on January 
10, 2013. I can think of no better way to honor his lifelong devotion 
to improving the lives of those around him than continuing his advocacy 
for higher education with the Raymond B. Spencer Scholarship Fund and I 
congratulate The New Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church on their 
tenth anniversary of this wonderful endeavor.
  I am so proud to represent The New Rising Star Missionary Baptist 
Church and many members of their congregation who devote their lives to 
improving the lives of their young students and opening up 
opportunities for them to preserve Dr. Spencer's legacy of excellence. 
Let their efforts serve as a testament to the lives of others for what 
can be achieved through dedication and devotion to the greater good of 
humanity.
  In honor of The New Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church led by 
Pastor Isadore Edwards, Jr. and the Raymond B. Spencer Scholarship Fund 
this statement will be entered into the Congressional Record on 
Tuesday, April 21, 2015.

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