[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 12, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING VICTORIA SWANSON JAMES' LIFE AND SERVICE TO THE CITY OF 
                               YPSILANTI

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 12, 2023

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pastor Victoria 
Swanson James, a resident of Ypsilanti, Michigan whose life her 
community is celebrating on her passing. Her lifelong dedication to her 
family, church, and community is worthy of remembrance and 
commendation.
  An Ypsilanti native, Victoria earned her Bachelor's in Education from 
our great Eastern Michigan University. After earning a Master's in 
Education as well as a Certificate of School Administration, Victoria 
served as an educator in the Willow Run and Ann Arbor Public Schools 
for over a decade. In 1978, she answered the call to the ministry. She 
was later ordained in 1981 at the Metropolitan Memorial Baptist Church, 
also in Ypsilanti. Under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. S.L. 
Roberson, Victoria served as his First Assistant for over 20 years.
  Outgrowing her role as an assistant, Victoria founded the Ekklesia 
Fellowship Ministries in Ypsilanti in 2000 and assumed the role of 
Pastor. In 2004, she founded the ``Women of The Word, Too'' an 
organization that provides mentoring and an outlet for women clergy 
throughout Washtenaw County and the surrounding area. Active in a range 
of organizations, Pastor James's service areas were quite extensive: 
member of the Love Ypsi Pastors Network, Washtenaw County Sheriff 
Council of Clergy, Hope Clinic Board of Directors, Pastoral Advisory 
Council for the Hope Clinic, former President of the Ypsilanti Gateway 
Economic Development Board, and former 1st Vice-President of the 
Ypsilanti Willow Run branch of the NAACP. Victoria's son, DeVaughn, who 
has been preaching in her stead, had this to say: ``She loved her city. 
Mom believed in the village mindset. There's a proverb in our community 
that says `it takes a village to raise a child.' Mom was confident in 
the strength and richness of the Ypsilanti village. That's why she 
committed her life to uplifting this village.''
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring the 
life service of Pastor Victoria Swanson James. Despite being the mother 
of 8 and Nana of 15, Victoria always had love to spare for her 
congregation and her community. We remember her fondly, and her 
presence will continue to be felt in the Ypsilanti community for years 
to come.

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