[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 176 (Tuesday, October 31, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1470-E1471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  95TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION FOR PEOPLE'S MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 31, 2017

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 
People's Missionary Baptist Church for its 95 years of service in the 
South Dallas community. Since its beginning, in the home of Sister 
Alice Coleman, the church has brought a strong impact in Dallas, as 
well as the nation at large. Thanks to the commitment and strong 
leadership of many pastors, the church a strong legacy in the Dallas 
community.
  It was Rev. S. M. Wright, Sr. who came to lead the church in April of 
1957. Rev. Wright, Sr.'s leadership reorganized the church, renaming it 
People's Missionary Baptist Church,

[[Page E1471]]

instead of solely People's Baptist Church. This call to missionary has 
led the church from then on, creating a legacy of community outreach, 
and ministry that reaches far beyond the walls of the church. During 
Rev. Wright, Sr.'s tenure, his preaching became renowned across the 
nation. At the time of his death, he was the president of the National 
Missionary Baptist Convention, president of the Missionary Baptist 
General Convention of Texas, and president of the Interdenominational 
Ministerial Alliance of Dallas. In 1995, President George W. Bush 
renamed Highway 175 to S. M. Wright Freeway in his honor.
  On November 17, 1993, Rev. S. M. Wright, II began leading the church 
with his pastoral leadership. His brother, Rev. Calvin W. M. Wright 
served next to him as co-pastor. Together, the two men continued Rev. 
Wright, Sr.'s mission by helping to improve the lives of people outside 
the church's walls by engaging their members in community outreach and 
civic matters.
  Pastor S. M. Wright, II and his family created the S. M. Wright 
Foundation to administer the South Dallas Community, the South Dallas 
Education Center, the South Dallas Resource Center, the S. M. Wright 
Furniture Bank, the South Dallas Entrepreneurship Center, and the 
Financial Management and Investment Club. These organizations help 
those in need obtain furniture, clothing, job training, and much more. 
Since November 2014, Pastor S. M. Wright, II innovated the Fix-It-Up 
and Fill-It-Up Campaign. This campaign has worked to renovate the 
church through tithes and offerings to make sure that the church can 
continue serving its continuously growing membership. It finished 
renovations in March of 2016.
  Mr. Speaker, the South Dallas community is a greater place, because 
of the presence of the People's Missionary Baptist Church and I'm proud 
to celebrate their 95th Anniversary.

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