[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 29, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E105]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF DR. T. VAUGHN WALKER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN A. YARMUTH

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 29, 2019

  Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor and in loving memory of 
Dr. Thomas Vaughn Walker, who served not only his congregation but the 
greater community of my hometown of Louisville, the Commonwealth of 
Kentucky, and more.
  Dr. Walker spent his Sundays (and nearly every other day of the week) 
sharing God's word from a brick building near the comer of Seventh 
Street and Algonquin Parkway, where First Gethsemane Baptist Church has 
proudly stood since 1972. From March of 1984 on, Dr. Walker made First 
``G'' his home, serving as its Senior Pastor for nearly 35 years.
  Though he had a quiet and reserved demeanor, his words and his 
impact--from the pulpit and beyond--were incredibly powerful. When he 
spoke, you listened, and lives were changed. Because Dr. Walker not 
only shared the lessons of scripture, he also served as a mentor and 
teacher for countless more.
  The first black professor to work full-time at a Southern Baptist 
Convention school, Dr. Walker retired after 30 years of teaching at the 
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. He earned a Ph.D. 
degree from Oregon State University, a Master of Divinity and Christian 
Education degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a 
Master of Science degree from Eastern Illinois University, and a 
Bachelor of Science degree from Hampton University. Education was an 
important part of Dr. Walker's faith, and he shared that knowledge far 
and wide.
  Dr. Walker's family, including the love of his life and his Hampton 
University college sweetheart, Dr. Cheryl D. Walker; their three 
children, David, Mary, and Eryn; and their six grandchildren, Celeste, 
Celvion, Jai, Joi, Josiah, and Ella; will all remain in my continued 
thoughts and prayers, along with the entire church family of First 
Gethsemane Baptist.
  Though his work on earth is now complete, I am confident that his 
words and his teachings will remain with so many of us, and will be 
carried on by all of those who were lucky enough to call him their 
friend and teacher.
  I thank Dr. T. Vaughn Walker for a lifetime of service.

                          ____________________