[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 104 (Thursday, June 20, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E811-E812]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING INTERFAITH TAMPA BAY ON THEIR FIFTH ANNUAL INTERFAITH PRIDE 
                            WORSHIP SERVICE

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. CHARLIE CRIST

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 20, 2019

  Mr. CRIST. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing Interfaith Tampa Bay on their fifth annual Interfaith 
Pride Worship Service in St. Petersburg, Florida. I am honored to 
represent such an inclusive and diverse district. This worship service 
demonstrates that an attitude of not just tolerance, but acceptance, is 
shared by our faith leaders of all beliefs and backgrounds.
  Interfaith Tampa Bay is an organization uniting faith leaders and 
believers of different religious backgrounds, coming together in 
prayer, service, and mutual support. The Pride Worship Service, taking 
place within the city-wide celebration of St. Pete Pride, gives LGBTQ 
members of the faith community an opportunity to worship and celebrate 
God's love surrounded by those who accept and support them. The Pride 
Worship Service invites all in attendance to worship at the altar of 
compassion, kindness, and understanding.
  Hosted by King of Peace Metropolitan Community Church in St. 
Petersburg, Florida, the Pride Worship Service features leaders of the 
Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist faiths. This service is 
proceeded by a Pride March through the streets of the city to the steps 
of the church, demonstrating the interconnectivity between faith, 
pride, and self-love. It is a message to all that one need not choose 
between their faith and their identity, and that it is only when we are 
able to truly love ourselves that we are able to love God.
  Through the Pride Worship Service and other community gatherings, 
Interfaith Tampa Bay is fostering a sense of community between the 
faith communities in our region, and reestablishing the church, mosque, 
synagogue, and other houses of worship as places of love and 
enlightenment for all. Recently, the organization hosted the Tampa Bay 
Iftar Dinner to celebrate the Muslim observance of Ramadan and 
recognize the achievements of Tampa Bay's Muslim community. In light of 
recent incidences of violence within these sacred spaces, the role of 
Interfaith Tampa Bay and similar institutions is incredibly important 
in the fight against intolerance and hate.
  On behalf of my Tampa Bay neighbors, I want to recognize Interfaith 
Tampa Bay, King of Peace MCC, Allendale UMC, Congregation B'Nai Israel, 
and all participating faith organizations for their support of the 
LGBTQ community.

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