[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 172 (Friday, October 19, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF BISHOP JAMES WALKER HOOD ON THE ONE HUNDREDTH 
                       ANNIVERSARY OF HIS PASSING

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                         HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 19, 2018

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the legendary 
Bishop James Walker Hood on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of 
his passing. Bishop Hood is credited with establishing the North 
Carolina African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Conference, the Prince 
Hall Masons of North Carolina, and Livingstone College, all in my home 
state of North Carolina.
  On May 30, 1831, James Walker Hood was born to Levi and Harriet 
Walker Hood on the farm of Ephraim Jackson in Chester County, 
Pennsylvania, nine miles from Wilmington, Delaware. Hood's parents 
instilled their love of the church and a spirit to help fellow African 
Americans improve their lives in their twelve children. Hood's father 
was a Methodist minister and his work moved the family around the 
country as he served various churches. Together, Hood's parents became 
involved in the AME Zion church, established as the Methodist church 
for Blacks.
  Upon coming of age, James Walker Hood's moral and religious 
convictions led him into ministry. In 1856, Hood secured his license to 
preach from the New York Conference of the AME Zion Church. In the 
following years, Hood moved to Connecticut and Nova Scotia to preach 
and work as a missionary. In early 1864, following the path of the 
Union Army, Hood was appointed to missionary work in North Carolina, 
recognizing that legal slavery would soon end. He would then stay in 
North Carolina for the remainder of his life.
  Although Hood was met with strong opposition in establishing the 
North Carolina Conference of AME Zion Church for African Americans, he 
persuaded the Black Southern Methodist congregations in New Bern and 
Beaufort, North Carolina to affiliate with the AME Zion Church. Among 
the more than 300 churches he successfully established in North 
Carolina are St. Peter's AME Zion Church (New Bern), Evans Metropolitan 
AME Zion Church (Fayetteville), and St. John AME Zion Church (Wilson).
  After becoming a Presiding Bishop in 1872, Bishop James Walker Hood 
resided in Fayetteville until his death on October 30, 1918. He is 
interred in Cross Creek Cemetery in Fayetteville. Hood helped establish 
Zion Wesley Institute, now Livingstone College, in Salisbury, North 
Carolina to train African American students for the ministry and to 
become productive citizens in North Carolina. He presided over the 
school's board of trustees for over thirty years.
  Bishop Hood was politically active on behalf of his people. In 1865, 
he presided over the first statewide political convention for African 
Americans. In 1868, he participated in the state constitutional 
convention, which abolished slavery, provided universal male suffrage, 
and established free public education for all children. He also held 
several government positions, including magistrate and assistant 
superintendent of the North Carolina Freedman's Bureau.
  Bishop Hood was a man of courage, conviction, and persistence. He was 
unwavering in his commitment to the cause of Christianity and the 
establishment of the AME Zion Church in North Carolina. It is 
remarkable that Bishop Hood, who had little formal education, would 
publish five books, including The Negro in the Christian Pulpit (1884) 
and Sketch of the Early History of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion 
Church (1914).
  Mr. Speaker, by the grace of God, Bishop James Walker Hood left an 
indelible mark on North Carolina that is still recognized one hundred 
years after his passing on October 30, 1918.
  On behalf of the people of the First Congressional District of North 
Carolina, ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Bishop James Walker 
Hood's life, work, and legacy on the occasion of the 100th anniversary 
of his passing.

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