[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 11, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E744-E745]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF VIENNA PASTOR VERNON C. WALTON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 11, 2019

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize First 
Baptist Church of Vienna and my friend, Pastor Vernon C. Walton, on the 
occasion of his 5th anniversary as pastor. Installed in 2014 after the 
retirement of the Rev. Dr. Kenny Smith, Pastor Walton has continued the 
legacy of spiritual wealth left behind by his predecessor. As someone 
who spent time with Rev. Dr. Smith, I can attest that having to fill 
his shoes as pastor is an unenviable task. However, Pastor Walton has 
not only succeeded in this task, but thrived.
   As someone who studied for the Catholic priesthood, I can also speak 
to the unique benefits and challenges of being called to ministry. 
Being entrusted with the pastoral health of a congregation as large as 
First Baptist Church of Vienna is a significant undertaking and I 
commend Pastor Walton for handling it with dedication, devotion and 
with grace.
   Pastor Walton's tenure has also enhanced First Baptist Church of 
Vienna's civic engagement. I have attended multiple events in the 
sanctuary designed to boost the civic engagement and awareness of the 
congregation. Most recently, I attended a community forum on affordable 
housing put together by the Fairfax chapter of the NAACP. First Baptist 
had graciously allowed its sanctuary to be used as the staging location 
for the event and Pastor Walton was a featured speaker. The sight of 
hundreds of people, many of them congregation members, coming together 
to educate themselves on one of the most pressing issues facing our 
community was inspiring. I have no doubt that there will be more events 
like this under Pastor Walton's leadership.
   In times of turmoil and uncertainty, it is critical that members of 
a community have a unifying force or entity in which they can find 
strength and reassurance. First Baptist Church of Vienna has provided 
that spiritual strength for this community for centuries and I am 
confident that, under the leadership of Pastor

[[Page E745]]

Walton and the efforts of the entire ministry team, staff and 
congregation, it will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
   Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
Pastor Vernon C. Walton and the entire congregation of First Baptist 
Church of Vienna for their continued service to their faith and to the 
community. I commend them for their efforts and ask my colleagues to 
join me in wishing them continued success in all their future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________