[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 43 (Thursday, March 17, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E330]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING BISHOP ALFRED A. OWENS, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 17, 2016

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me 
in recognizing Bishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr., who this week is 
celebrating 50 years of pastoral ministry in the District of Columbia 
at Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church, where he has provided outstanding 
service to not only residents of the District, but throughout the 
country.
  As pastor of one the largest churches in the District, for five 
decades, Bishop Owens has been among the nation's most prominent 
pastors. His reputation for serving his community, humor, and messages 
of hope has allowed him to grow from a membership of only seven members 
in 1966 to more than 7,000 today.
  Bishop Owens, a native Washingtonian, has a heart for the community, 
establishing, among other social service programs an alcohol and drug 
abuse program and free mental and emotional counseling through 
certified professionals, and becoming one of the first church HIV/AIDS 
healthcare programs in the nation. In addition, he is passionate about 
helping our returning citizens and making them productive community 
members. He lives by his mantra, ``It's just nice to be nice.'' But, he 
understands the responsibility he has as a pastor to ensure his 
ministry goes beyond the four walls of the church and serves those most 
in need.
  Among Bishop Owen's many accomplishments are serving as the Dean of 
the Joint College of African American Pentecostal Bishops since 2000. 
He is also an Adjunct Professor at Howard University School of 
Divinity.
  Mr. Speaker, many of my colleagues know of the ministry of Bishop 
Owens and many congressional staff attend his church. Therefore, I ask 
my colleagues to join me in commending Bishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr., for 
50 years of extraordinary contributions to the national capital region 
and the nation and to wish him many more years of service.

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