[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 12, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H1056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    WELCOMING REVEREND LANCE WATSON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentlewoman from 
Virginia (Ms. Spanberger) is recognized for 1 minute.
  There was no objection.
  Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Reverend Lance 
Watson for his thoughtful opening prayer this morning. His service to 
central Virginia and his accomplishments as a spiritual and community 
leader are an example to all of us.
  For more than 30 years, Reverend Watson has served as the senior 
pastor of St. Paul's Baptist Church in the Richmond area. Dr. Watson 
has been honored as an outstanding community leader, outstanding 
contributor to education, and Minister of the Year by multiple 
organizations, and he leads a congregation of nearly 12,000 people.
  While Reverend Watson has focused on the spiritual development of the 
community through his ministry, he has also supported the social and 
economic development of the community in a variety of ways. Under his 
leadership, St. Paul's Baptist Church has initiated a bold plan to 
build housing, a park, an urban farm, and community gardens to improve 
the central Virginia community.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Reverend Watson; his wife, first lady Rose 
Watson, herself an accomplished singer; and the entire Watson family 
for their service to the St. Paul's community in central Virginia.
  I also thank Reverend Watson for being here today to offer us 
inspiration through the opening prayer.

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