[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 5 (Thursday, January 10, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E30-E31]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO REVEREND DOCTOR AZALEE C. BISHOP

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 10, 2019

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
Rev. Dr. Azalee C. Bishop, a faithful Christian servant and a 
trailblazing humanitarian. Dr. Bishop and I are of the same generation, 
and I am honored to extend best wishes on the occasion of her 80th 
birthday.
  Dr. Bishop is an honors graduate of Gallman High School, Class of 
1956. She went on to pursue her undergraduate degree at Johnson C. 
Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina. Upon graduation, she 
completed graduate studies at Cornell University, Caniusus College, 
State University of New York in Buffalo, and Pentecostal Overcoming 
Outreach School of Religion in Columbia, South Carolina. She spent 
years as a dedicated wife and mother, and then earned her doctorate 
degree at Spirit and Truth Seminary in Richmond, Virginia.
  Her legacy is Grace Christian Church in Columbia, South Carolina, 
which was established under the vision and leadership of Rev. Dr. 
Bishop and her husband, Bishop Robert L. Bishop. The initial worship 
service was held on May 12, 1982 with seventy-seven faithfuls in 
attendance. The Bishops grew the congregation from its original 
location in a small daycare facility and moved to a site at the 
Columbia Housing Authority's Latimore Manor Housing Complex in 1984. It 
continued to thrive, and seven years later moved to 627 Dixie Avenue in 
Columbia. Grace Christian Church established its current home on 
October 17, 1995 when it purchased property at 5010 Monticello Road.
  Under the vision of Dr. Azalee C. Bishop, the church expanded its 
mission and in 1998 launched the Grace Divinity College of Biblical 
Studies. This divinity school is accredited both by the Accrediting 
Commission International and International Biblical Association. She is 
also the founder and producer of Morning Break with Jesus, a daily 
devotional broadcast, that reached thousands of South Carolina 
listeners.
  Dr. Bishop has also sought to improve the quality of life in her 
community by establishing Grandma's House, an afterschool program for 
low-income, academically-challenged youth, and The Wisdom Center which 
is dedicated to embracing wisdom and changing lives. In addition to her 
work as a pastor and civic leader, Dr. Bishop spent 33-years as a 
Program Administrator with the Department of Social Services.
  Her many memberships and accomplishments include The Greater Columbia 
Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (Board

[[Page E31]]

Member), The Black Adoption Project (Board Member), Christian Social 
Relations Women's Missionary Society of South Carolina (Chairperson), 
Empire State Baptist Educational Center (Instructor), National Baptist 
Educational Association (Member), State PTA (Life Member) and the 
NAACP.
  Madam Speaker, I invite you and our colleagues to join me in 
celebration of the life and contributions of this extraordinary woman. 
Rev. Dr. Azalee C. Bishop is a true civic and spiritual leader. She has 
left a lasting legacy that stands as a testament to her tremendous 
life's work and an example for others to emulate.

                          ____________________