[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 26, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H3964]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF PASTOR RALPH W. EMERSON, JR.

  (Mr. VEASEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the great tenure 
of Reverend Ralph W. Emerson, Jr., who will be conducting his last 
sermon at Rising Star Baptist Church on Miller Avenue and Avenue M in 
Fort Worth this August before he kicks off his retirement.
  Reverend Emerson, better known as Pastor Ralph, was first called to 
preach in 1978 and was ordained that very year in December. He became 
the assistant pastor of Rising Star Baptist Church in 1989 and after 1 
year he was called to be the senior pastor in 1990. During his 
illustrious tenure at Rising Star he has really served the community 
well. He made sure that kids know how to read, that souls are fed, and 
he has done a tremendous job.
  Reverend Emerson has worked dutifully in several different capacities 
and several cities, including Compton, Houston, and Fort Worth. Prior 
to coming to Rising Star, he was an active member of Mount Moriah 
Baptist Church in Los Angeles and Faith Baptist in Houston.
  Reverend Emerson is involved in so many different endeavors in the 
community: JPS, our public hospital, Aids Outreach, different food 
banks, and again, he does a tremendous reading program for kids in the 
summer.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Reverend Emerson on his retirement and 
the community thanks him for his service.

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