[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 195 (Friday, November 5, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1207]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING REV. DR. BENJAMIN THOMAS, SR. ON HIS 30TH PASTORAL 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. RUBEN GALLEGO

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 5, 2021

  Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Reverend Dr. 
Benjamin N. Thomas Sr., who recently celebrated his 30th Pastoral 
Anniversary at the Historic Tanner Chapel AME Church, the oldest 
African American church in Arizona.
  Reverend Thomas first came to Tanner Chapel in October 1991 and since 
then has been dedicated to serving not only his church, but the whole 
Phoenix community. He has served on the boards of several 
organizations, including as Commissioner of the Arizona Commission on 
African-American Affairs, member of the Arizona Department of Economic 
Security Board of Directors, and President of the Arizona Ecumenical 
Council of Churches. In 2001, he founded Tanner Community Development 
Corporation to help families meet their spiritual, economic, 
educational, health, and housing needs. Prior to coming to Phoenix, he 
served as the pastor of AME churches in Los Angeles, California; 
Seattle, Washington; and Joplin, Missouri. A dedicated family man, 
Reverend Thomas is husband to Beverly Thomas, father to Rev. Benjamin 
Thomas Jr., and a proud grandfather.
  Reverend Thomas has been a role model to so many throughout the 
years. Although he has had opportunities to pastor elsewhere or to move 
up within church leadership, he has remained dedicated to Tanner Chapel 
and the Phoenix Community. I would like to congratulate Reverend Thomas 
on 30 years of pastoring at Tanner Chapel, thank him for his decades of 
service to the Phoenix community, and wish him the best as he continues 
his journey with members of the Historic Tanner Chapel AME Church.

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