[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 215 (Friday, December 18, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1179-E1180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF BISHOP RANCE LEE ALLEN

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                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 18, 2020

  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of 
Bishop Rance Lee Allen. Bishop Allen passed unexpectedly from this life 
on October 31, 2020 leaving a widespread legacy.
  Rance Lee Allen was born in Monroe, Michigan on November 19, 1948, 
the middle brother between Tom and Steve. His was born one of twelve 
children to Thomas and Emma Pearl. At an early age, he showed a passion 
for both music and preaching. By age nine he was travelling as a 
preacher in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. After graduating from Monroe 
High School, he attended Monroe County Community College. On December 
1, 1970, Rance Allen married Ellen Marie Groves.
  In 1978, Rance Allen was ordained as an Elder of the Church of God in 
Christ, taking on a position as associate pastor at Monroe's Holiness 
Temple. In 1985 Toledo's New Bethel Church was founded and Bishop Allen 
was appointed its pastor, a position he held until his death.
  In 1995, Bishop Allen received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from 
Urban Bible Institute of Detroit, Michigan. In 2011, Bishop Allen was 
consecrated as Jurisdictional Prelate of the Michigan Northwest Harvest 
Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction by the Church of God in Christ. In 2020, 
Bishop Allen earned a Doctorate of Theology Degree from Kingdom 
University International of Orlando, Florida.
  An anointed gospel singer and musician, he founded the Rance Allen 
Group in 1967 with his brothers Tom and Steve, with Rance as the 
featured singer and also playing guitar and keyboard. Together for over 
50 years, only the coronavirus pandemic temporarily stopped the group's 
performances. The Rance Allen Group released 21 albums, won six Stellar 
Awards, 3 Grammy Nominations, and have several other awards to the 
group's credit.
  Well known in the music world, Rance Allen also performed with other 
music artists including CeCe Winans, Kirk Franklin, Snoop Dogg and 
Aretha Franklin. In 2015, Bishop Allen received the highest honor of 
his musical career by being invited and performing at the White House 
in a tribute to the gospel music tradition

[[Page E1180]]

hosted by President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama.
  In 1998, The Rance Allen Group was inducted into the International 
Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum. In 2005, Rance Allen was awarded 
BMI's Trailblazer of Gospel Music Award. In 2009 the Black Academy of 
Arts and Letters named him as one of the Great Men of Gospel.
  Bishop Allen wove his ministry and his music into a tapestry which 
shone for the glory of God. His was a life well lived, and when he 
completed his time on earth at age 71, his Lord called him home with 
the words in Matthew 25:21, ``Well done, thou good and faithful 
servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee 
ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.''
  To Bishop Allen's wife Ellen, his brothers Thomas and Steve, his 
congregants and countless friends, we hope the memory of this great man 
brings comfort as his joyous life is celebrated.

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