[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 59 (Thursday, April 12, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H3195]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF BISHOP CLEVELAND BLASH, JR.

  (Mr. PAYNE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to honor Bishop Cleveland 
Blash, Jr., on the occasion of his 44th year of serving God and the 
people of Newark.
  Bishop Blash began his long service when he was ordained in the late 
1970s. He faithfully served churches in Connecticut, Florida, and New 
York, before being assigned to St. Paul Sounds of Praise PFM Church in 
Newark, New Jersey.
  Bishop Blash is truly a community leader. He is the founder of 
Operation CLEANN, which stands for Citizens Looking to Empower a New 
Neighborhood. He has given more than 10,000 hours of labor to the 
community around West Side Park in Newark, New Jersey.
  Bishop Blash also created a scholarship committee, founded the annual 
U.S. Marines Toys for Tots Drive in his neighborhood, and created a 
communitywide Thanksgiving dinner, among other great deeds.
  Last weekend, Bishop Blash celebrated his 68th birthday and 44th year 
in the ministry. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Bishop 
Blash for his lifetime of service to his community.

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