[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 180 (Tuesday, November 12, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1415-E1416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN HONOR OF REVEREND ROOSEVELT CARTER, I

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, Jr.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 12, 2019

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor an 
outstanding Man of God, a devoted spiritual leader, and dear friend of 
longstanding, Reverend Roosevelt Carter, I, who retired from his role 
as Senior

[[Page E1416]]

Pastor of First Monumental Faith Ministries in Albany, Georgia after 
over three decades of selfless service and was honored on Saturday, 
November 9, 2019, at 5:00 pm.
  In 1984, Reverend Carter answered the call to preach the word of God 
and founded First Monumental Faith Ministries alongside his wife, First 
Lady, and Co-Pastor, LaVerne Shinault Carter. For the past 35 years, 
Rev. Carter has been the shepherd at First Monumental where he has 
ministered to the needs of his flockchristening babies, baptizing 
believers, performing marriages, and consoling bereaved families while 
developing and honing his skills as a church administrator and 
inspiring spiritual leader. Under The Carters' dynamic and spirit-
filled leadership, First Monumental Faith Ministries has experienced 
tremendous growth. But most importantly, under their leadership, First 
Monumental has been a beacon of hope and salvation for the congregation 
through its many ministries that share the good news of our Lord and 
Savior, Jesus Christ.
  Outside of the church, Reverend Carter has also proved himself a true 
servant of the community in which he lives. His drive led him to 
organize First Monumental Community Outreach, Inc. (FMCO) to help 
provide services to those in need. By utilizing its access to 
government grants, FMCO opened ``Job's Place'', the first assistance 
program for persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in the Dougherty County 
area. Reverend Carter and FMCO also joined forces with the City of 
Albany & the Dougherty County Coalition to help end homelessness by 
leading the charge to acquire government funding from the Department of 
Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to support and transition over 15 
families to self-sustainable living. Furthermore, Reverend Carter also 
extended the reach of First Monumental Faith Ministries through the 
Monumental Development Center and the Fluff-n-Fold Laundromat to aid in 
job creation for residents in the community.
  Reverend Carter has achieved much in his life, but none of it would 
have been possible without the Grace of God and the love and the 
support of his loving wife, LaVerne, and his children, Roosevelt, Jr., 
Roderald, Lorenzo, and Renorta.
  On a personal note, I have been blessed by Reverend Carter's sage 
counsel and enduring friendship over the time that I have known him. He 
has always encouraged and supported me during my career in Congress 
and, I am proud to call him my friend.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife, Vivian, and me, 
along with the 730,000 residents of Georgia's Second Congressional 
District, in extending our sincerest congratulations and best wishes to 
Reverend Roosevelt Carter, I on the occasion of his retirement and in 
congratulating him for 35 outstanding years of leadership at First 
Monumental Faith Ministries, and for a lifetime of selfless service to 
God, the church, and to humankind.

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