[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 212 (Wednesday, December 8, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1343]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO THE RT. REV. DR. ALPHONZA AND MRS. HESTER GADSDEN

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                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 8, 2021

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to two people 
who have dedicated their lives to their church and their community. 
Bishop Ordinary, Rt. Rev. Dr. Alphonza Gadsden, Sr. and Mrs. Hester 
Gadsden are retiring after a lifetime of service to the Reformed 
Episcopal Church.
  Bishop Gadsden, a native of St. Stephen, South Carolina, is the son 
of the late Silas and Leola Gadsden. An honors graduate of Russellville 
High School, he valued education and earned both a bachelor's degree 
from Limestone University in Gaffney, South Carolina and a Doctor of 
Ministry from Erskine University in Due West, South Carolina. Bishop 
Gadsden went on to receive his Doctor of Divinity from the Commission 
on Theological Education of the Reformed Episcopal Seminary in Blue 
Bell, Pennsylvania.
  Bishop Gadsden served his country in the United States Army during 
the Vietnam War, reaching the rank of Sergeant and receiving numerous 
military medals and honors. Bishop Gadsden also served his country with 
a historic 39-year career in the United States Postal Service: He 
retired from the Postal Service as the first African American 
Postmaster in the history of Kingstree, South Carolina.
  Mrs. Gadsden is a native of Hemingway, South Carolina and is the 
daughter of the late Isaac Daniel and Sallie Elizabeth Brown. She 
graduated from Hemingway High School the year South Carolina public 
schools desegregated and later earned a bachelor's degree from 
Limestone University. Following her calling to work with young people, 
Mrs. Gadsden received an Education Certification from Coastal Carolina 
University and a Master of Education from Charleston Southern 
University. Additionally, she pursued a Master of Divinity from Cummins 
Theological Memorial Seminary in Summerville. Mrs. Gadsden retired as 
Principal of Kingstree Magnet Middle School in the Williamsburg County 
School District after 36 years as an educator.
  The Gadsdens were both raised in the Christian faith. Bishop Gadsden 
grew up in the Reformed Episcopal Church, and Mrs. Gadsden was baptized 
in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Throughout their adult 
lives, they followed Bishop Gadsden's service in the Reformed Episcopal 
Church's Diocese of the Southeast.
  Bishop Gadsden began his ministry as Vicar and Rector of Liberty RE 
Church in Jamestown, South Carolina where he served for 17 years. 
During his tenure, spiritual advancement and membership increased 
significantly and the renovations improved the sanctuary and church 
building.
  As a minister in the Diocese of the Southeast, Bishop Gadsden was 
elected to the Standing Committee of the Diocese, where he served for 
several years and was later elected to serve as President. As the 
President of the Standing Committee, he led the Diocese for more than a 
year after the death of the late Rt. Rev. James C. West and was 
subsequently elected and consecrated Bishop in the Reformed Episcopal 
Church on November 17, 2007.
  Bishop Gadsden served the Diocese for more than 14 years. Under his 
leadership, the Diocese added eight Clergy members, reformed its means 
of financial support, refurbished all its properties, eliminated its 
debts, and added two additional parishes.
  Bishop Gadsden served the National Reformed Episcopal Church in 
various capacities. As a Clergyman, he was elected to the General 
Council of the Church and served on the General Committee as a Bishop 
of the Church. He also served as the Vice Chairman of the General 
Council until his retirement. On the Ecumenical level, Bishop Gadsden 
was one of the original organizers and signatories of the Anglican 
Church in North America (ACNA) at its inception in 2009. Currently, he 
serves as Co-Chairman of the Provincial Council of the Anglican Church 
in North America (ACNA).
  When her husband served as pastor/rector, Mrs. Gadsden served as 
Sunday school teacher, a choir member, and was instrumental in physical 
improvements at Liberty RE Church. During Bishop Gadsden's tenure as 
Bishop, Mrs. Gadsden served on the diocesan level as treasurer of the 
Sunday School Convention, a member of the Missionary Society, 
chairperson of the Committee on Women's Work, and president of the 
Ministers' Wives and Widows Alliance. In the National Reformed 
Episcopal Church, she served on the Doctrine and Worship Committee and 
on the Committee on Women's Ministry.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and our colleagues to join me in commending 
Bishop and Mrs. Alphonza and Hester Gadsden for their years of service 
to the Reformed Episcopal Church and to the community of Williamsburg 
County in South Carolina. They have fulfilled the biblical directive 
found in the Book of Micah, ``to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk 
humbly with your God.''

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