[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 20 (Tuesday, January 30, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE OF BISHOP ALEXIS THOMAS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUBEN GALLEGO

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 30, 2018

  Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and work of 
Bishop Alexis Thomas, who passed away on January 18, 2018.
   Bishop Alexis Thomas was many things to many people. He was a 
pastor, a leader, and a friend. He was a father, a son and a brother. 
He was a dynamic and passionate leader not just at Pilgrim Rest Baptist 
Church, but throughout our community in Phoenix.
   Having received his license to preach the gospel at the young age of 
seven, it is perhaps unsurprising that Bishop Thomas was destined for a 
life in service of God and his community. Before he was ordained as the 
Bishop of the State of Arizona in 2003, Bishop Thomas served for 
eighteen years as the Senior Pastor of Pilgrim Rest, which grew by 
leaps and bounds under his compassionate leadership.
   Bishop Thomas' service extended well beyond Pilgrim West Baptist 
Church. Not only did he serve on the Board of Directors of the Greater 
Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce, but he also founded the African 
American Christian Clergy Coalition in 2001 and co-founded the African 
American Strategic Alliance Coalition in Phoenix.
   I want to take this opportunity not only to remember and celebrate 
Bishop Thomas' many accomplishments, but also to share my sincere 
condolences with Bishop Thomas' family and friends, as well as with the 
broader Phoenix community mourning his loss.
   I was fortunate enough to work alongside Bishop Thomas on issues of 
social justice. We served together as a part of My Brother's Keeper, 
and I witnessed firsthand his boundless determination to make our 
community--and our world--a better place. Bishop Thomas will be 
recalled fondly by many as a counselor, friend and mentor. He will also 
be remembered as a man with a sincere and remarkable vision for change. 
Through our work together in support of the Congressional Black Caucus, 
I feel incredibly fortunate that I was able to witness Bishop Thomas' 
inspiring leadership firsthand.
   Bishop Thomas worked miracles large and small every day. He touched 
more lives than perhaps we will ever know.
   Mr. Speaker, while we are devastated by his loss, we know that 
Bishop Thomas' legacy of service and love will live on forever in our 
community.

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