[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 81 (Tuesday, May 11, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E495]]


  


         IN HONOR OF THE LIFE OF REV. DR. GARTHER ROBERSON, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 11, 2021

  Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of 
Reverend Doctor Garther Roberson, Jr. of Ypsilanti, Michigan. His 
lifetime of service and dedication to our community is worthy of 
commendation.


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  May 11, 2021, on page E495, the following appeared: Mr. DINGELL. 
Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Reverend Doctor 
Garther Roberson, Jr. of Ypsilanti, Michigan.
  
  The online version has been corrected to read: Mrs. DINGELL. 
Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Reverend Doctor 
Garther Roberson, Jr. of Ypsilanti, Michigan.


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 


  Rev. Roberson was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan on August 1, 1927, the 
fifth child of Pastor Garther Roberson, Sr. and Estella Roberson. He 
attended Ypsilanti Public Schools and after graduation in 1948, went on 
to serve his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. 
He earned the Korean Services Medals of Honor with the Bronze Star and 
an Overseas Bar. Rev. Roberson was educated at Washtenaw Community 
College, Moody Bible College, Trinity College, and William Tyndale 
College. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from the 
Tennessee School of Religion (Ypsilanti Extension) in 1999.
  As a member of the Second Baptist Church in Ypsilanti, he served as 
director of the youth department, Sunday school superintendent, and as 
Deacon until he was called to serve as Reverend in 1979. Rev. Roberson 
also served as Pastor at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Ypsilanti. He 
was known for his love for the community and the people he served. His 
warmth and joyful personality led to him being a trusted confidante for 
not only the congregation of his church, but for local youth and 
community leaders as well.
  A leader not only in the faith community, Rev. Roberson was a fixture 
in Washtenaw County, serving as President of the Minister's Alliance 
and as President for Joint Operational Services for a Human Urban 
Alliance (JOSHUA). Rev. Roberson was the longest serving member of the 
Minister's Alliance and was presented with a Congregational Certificate 
of Honor Founder's Day Award by Pastor Phillip Farrell. In 1996, he was 
chosen to deliver the Invocation for former President William Jefferson 
Clinton during his visit to Eastern Michigan University. Additionally, 
he served on the boards of the NAACP, Hope Clinic, the Students and 
Friends of Washtenaw County Community College, and the Huron Valley 
District Christian Academy. Many honors bear his name; In Ypsilanti, 
March 15th to 17th is known as ``Reverend Garther Roberson, Jr. Week'' 
and April 4, 2003 is known as ``Garther Roberson Day'' and each year, 
JOSHUA awards the ``Rev. Dr. Garther Roberson Community Leadership 
Award'' to outstanding leaders in the area.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of 
Reverend Doctor Garther Roberson, Jr., a pillar of our community, a 
native son of Ypsilanti, and a man of true faith. He will be deeply 
missed but has left behind a lasting legacy. Our thoughts are with his 
friends, family, and congregation at this time.

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