[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 194 (Wednesday, November 29, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1613]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 RECOGNIZING THE FRIENDSHIP CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AS A 
                        NATIONAL HISTORIC PLACE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE JOHNSON

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 29, 2017

  Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to rise and 
honor the Friendship Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME) of 
Lisbon, LA, for its historic impact upon our nation and to the State of 
Louisiana. Friendship CME Church helped to unify the Claiborne Parish 
community around faith and family during the most trying times of our 
history.
   At the height of the civil rights movement from 1965 to 1974 and 
beyond, Friendship CME Church served as the heart of the African 
American community and opened its doors for the meetings of local civil 
rights leaders. Many of the major contributions to the Claiborne Parish 
civil rights movement were conceptualized within Friendship CME Church, 
and the church played a central role in the community as a safe haven 
for those working to protect the dignity of every human life.
   Friendship CME Church was founded between 1900 and 1915. The current 
structure was rebuilt by the congregation in 1933, after the original 
church building was destroyed by a violent tornado that tore through 
Claiborne Parish in 1932. With only a few modifications, today's 
building largely resembles the original structure. This 1933 building 
still stands to this day as a testimony to the resilience and fortitude 
of the Friendship CME community. In recognition of the church's 
integral contributions in advancing the Claiborne Parish civil rights 
movement, the National Park Service listed the Friendship CME Church in 
the National Register of Historic Places in May 2016.
   Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress and the people 
of Northwest Louisiana, I am honored to recognize the Friendship 
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church for the exceptionally important 
role it played during the civil rights movement in our region and in 
our nation. I, along with my wife, Kelly, pray the Lord continues to 
use this congregation as a beacon of hope for generations to come.

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