[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 1, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H3345]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING REV. DR. CHARLES E. BOOTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Cummings) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I know that Representative Joyce Beatty 
would join me today in what I am about to say.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a great American and a distinguished man 
of God, the Reverend Dr. Charles E. Booth. Dr. Booth transitioned from 
this earthly plain on Saturday, March 23, 2019, after a valiant battle 
with cancer.
  Dr. Booth's life and mine moved along many of the same paths. Through 
those shared experiences, we developed a deep personal bond.
  He was born in my hometown of Baltimore, Maryland, on February 4, 
1947, to Hazel Willis Booth and William W. Booth. He attended the same 
high school as I did, Baltimore City College High School in Baltimore. 
We also attended the same college, Howard University.
  Dr. Booth went on to earn a master's of divinity degree from Eastern 
Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He then earned a 
doctorate of ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in 
Dayton, Ohio.
  As a testament to his commitment to Christian education, Dr. Booth 
served as a member of the board of trustees of that institution from 
2011 until his recent passing.
  At the age of 23, Dr. Booth pastored his first church, St. Paul's 
Baptist Church in West Chester, Pennsylvania. In 1978, he became pastor 
of Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio, where he remained the 
faithful leader for 41 years.
  Dr. Booth proudly made Columbus his home, but he never forgot his 
roots. He visited Baltimore often to preach at various churches and 
spend time with family and friends. In fact, he preached revival 
services each year in my own church, the New Psalmist Baptist Church, 
where Dr. Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Sr., is the pastor. When I was 
not in Washington, I was at church to listen to his prolific sermons.
  As the son of two preachers, I understand the power of the preached 
word, and Dr. Booth could deliver like none other. They often called 
him a preaching machine. He had a commanding presence in the pulpit 
with his towering stature and baritone voice. He studied the Bible 
voraciously and had the uncanny ability to make Biblical text relevant 
to the issues we face today in our daily lives. At a time when people 
are turning away from traditional religion, Dr. Booth made Christianity 
accessible and inspired people to deepen their faith.
  Dr. Booth was a pastor's pastor. He traveled the world to preach the 
gospel, and he was tremendously respected by his peers. He found joy in 
mentoring young preachers and made time to listen to their concerns and 
offer his counsel.
  In 2011, Dr. Booth founded the Charles E. Booth Preaching Conference, 
which focuses on the tenets of keeping passion in one's preaching, 
Christ-centered preaching in contemporary life, building relationships 
with preachers, strengthening the preacher's devotional life, and 
remaining true to the sermonic ingredients of information and 
inspiration.
  Education was central to Dr. Booth's life. Not only was he 
continually learning, but he also encouraged others to use education as 
a key to open doors of opportunity. In 1994, he founded the Gloria S. 
Friend Academy, a fully accredited elementary school at his church that 
emphasized academic excellence and cultural enrichment centered on 
African American history. Dr. Booth also authored several books focused 
on Christian education.
  A pillar in his community, Dr. Booth used his position as a faith 
leader to be a strong voice for the voiceless. He worked tirelessly to 
help create solutions to issues such as poverty, homelessness, 
unemployment, and access to quality healthcare.

  As I mourn the loss of my friend, I am comforted by the inspiring 
legacy he leaves for all of us. In the New Testament book of Titus, the 
Apostle Paul writes: ``Show yourself in all respects to be a model of 
good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound 
speech.''
  Dr. Booth lived this creed. Through his example, he encouraged 
everyone he encountered to do the same.
  He leaves to mourn his wonderful wife, Crystal. He was a tremendous 
blessing to his family, his church, his Nation, and, indeed, the world.
  He will be sorely missed, but we give great thanks that God allowed 
our lives to eclipse with his.

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