[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 22, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H2363-H2364]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING BISHOP WALTER SCOTT THOMAS, SR., AND HIS FORTY YEARS OF 
                             SERVICE TO GOD

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Cummings) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor, admiration, and 
respect that I take this time to honor one of this Nation's most 
distinguished citizens, Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Sr., in recognition 
of his 40 years of service to God as a pastor, mentor, and community 
leader.
  I am honored to rise today to share with my colleagues in the United 
States House of Representatives the accomplishments of this remarkable 
man.
  For the last 40 years, Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Sr., has 
faithfully served as the pastor of the New Psalmist Baptist Church 
located in the Seventh Congressional District in Baltimore, Maryland. 
Bishop Thomas is a Baltimore native who was called to proclaim God's 
Word to the world.
  He received a bachelor's of science degree from the University of 
Maryland in economics, a master's of divinity degree from Howard 
University School of Religion, and a doctor of ministry degree from St. 
Mary's Seminary and the University of Baltimore.
  In 1975, Bishop Thomas was called to pastor the New Psalmist Baptist 
Church. He is a devoted leader who cares about the needs of his 
congregation, the community, and the world.
  Under his dynamic leadership over the last four decades, New Psalmist 
Baptist Church has grown to serve several thousand members. His vision 
and message of ``empowering disciples'' has inspired thousands to make 
a positive impact in their personal lives, communities, the State of 
Maryland, the country, and the world.
  He is an influential leader who graciously uses his gifts to serve 
clergy and religious leaders. From 1999 to 2002, Bishop Thomas served 
as the president

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of the Hampton University Ministers' Conference. He has coached and 
mentored pastors, church leaders, staff, and ministry teams all over 
the country.
  On July 20, 2005, Bishop Thomas was elevated to the office of bishop 
and presiding prelate of the Kingdom Association of Covenant Pastors by 
ministers from across this great Nation.
  Bishop Thomas has led multiple outreach initiatives to provide 
services and resources to the community. These initiatives include 
assisting economically disadvantaged families and homeless persons, 
providing employment assistance for job seekers, and partnering with 
school principals to provide school resources.
  In 2013, Bishop Thomas and the New Psalmist Baptist Church donated 
$40,000 to the Baltimore City Northwestern Police District to renovate 
the station entrance and lobby for our police officers and community 
members.
  In addition to his leadership in the local community, Bishop Thomas 
has been a global leader, supporting projects to improve the quality of 
life for the world's underserved citizens. Bishop Thomas and New 
Psalmist Baptist Church support a school in Nairobi, Kenya, as well as 
clean water and sanitation projects in Africa.
  Bishop Thomas has also been the guest of His Royal Highness Prince 
Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-
moon to represent the United States and the Christian faith in the Many 
Heavens, One Planet faith and conservation event in Windsor, England.
  In 2009, Bishop Thomas had the honor of delivering the invocation 
during President Barack Obama's whistlestop tour at Baltimore's War 
Memorial Building. In 1998, Bishop Thomas hosted President William 
Jefferson Clinton at the New Psalmist Baptist Church.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, Bishop Thomas is a devoted husband, father, and 
friend. He is the loving husband to first lady Patricia Thomas and the 
proud father of three very successful children: Joi; Walter, Jr.; and 
Joshua.
  Bishop Thomas is a source of wisdom and encouragement to his family 
and friends. Bishop Thomas is a great friend who has inspired me 
through his faithful leadership of his family and the New Psalmist 
Baptist Church.
  I am honored that God allowed our lives to eclipse, and today I wish 
to thank him on behalf of Baltimore, Maryland, and indeed the Nation 
and the world for his dedication, commitment to God, his church, his 
family, and his community.

                          ____________________