[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 7, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E833-E834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING REVEREND PHARIS D. EVANS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 7, 2016

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to stand before you and my 
colleagues today to congratulate Reverend Pharis D. Evans on his 55th 
anniversary as Pastor of Clark Road Missionary Baptist Church in Gary, 
Indiana. For his lifetime of leadership and tireless dedication to his 
congregation and to the community in Gary and beyond, he is worthy of 
the highest praise. In his honor, a celebratory banquet hosted by Clark 
Road Missionary Baptist Church will take place on June 13, 2016.
   Pharis Evans graduated from Haywood High School in Brownsville, 
Tennessee. As a young boy, his passion for theology grew from the 
church services he attended, and he knew early on that he was destined 
to be a preacher. He studied theology at Chicago Baptist Institute and 
continued his studies at Calumet

[[Page E834]]

College of Saint Joseph in Whiting. It was on the first Sunday in April 
1961, when Pharis D. Evans was first selected to lead Clark Road 
Missionary Baptist Church. For the past 55 years, he has administered 
spiritual guidance to a congregation that presently serves more than 
800 parishioners. Pastor Evans's impact through his spiritual teaching 
has been immeasurable, and those he has mentored can all attest to his 
generous nature. Throughout the years, he has been a tireless advocate 
for his church and the community. Since 1963, Pastor Evans has 
coordinated and maintained Radio Broadcast Outreach Ministry. From 2009 
to the present, he has also served as ``Spiritual Advisor'' for the 
Baptist Ministers Conference of Gary and Vicinity, and in 2008, he was 
awarded the prestigious community service Drum Major Award by the Gary 
Frontiers Service Club. Additionally, Pastor Evans has served as 
President and Vice President of the Progressive National Baptist 
Convention for the state of Indiana and been a chaplain for the Gary 
Police Department. A passionate and proven leader, Pastor Evans has 
provided counsel for many young ministers in search of guidance and 
direction. For his selfless devotion to aiding those in need of 
spiritual guidance, Pastor Evans is to be commended.
   Reverend Evans's exceptional dedication to the church and to his 
community is exceeded only by his devotion to his wonderful family. He 
and his beloved late wife, Ann, raised five wonderful children (one 
deceased), and have nine grandchildren (one deceased), and three great-
grandchildren.
   I am privileged and honored to call Pastor Evans my friend. More 
importantly, Reverend Pharis D. Evans has been a friend to all, the 
epitome of what we consider a Man of God. A man who has led a life we 
should all seek to emulate. His vision, his work, and his spirt have 
provided all of us with a guide to an improved and gentler future.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in congratulating Pastor Evans on his 55th anniversary as 
Pastor of Clark Road Missionary Baptist Church. For his lifetime of 
leadership and selfless service to others, he is to be truly an 
inspiration to us all.

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