[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 157 (Wednesday, September 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E898]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING BISHOP THOMAS SCOTT AND HIS LIFETIME OF PUBLIC SERVICE

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                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 27, 2023

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a 
faithful and impactful leader for the Tampa Bay community and our 
country, Bishop Thomas Scott. Bishop Scott has made an extraordinary 
contribution to the lives of our neighbors as a pastor, public servant 
and community activist. We celebrate his lifetime achievements with 
immense gratitude and call to others to learn from his example in 
public service. Bishop Scott continues to serve as pastor for the 34th 
Street Church of God, a role which he has held since April of 1980, 
demonstrating that he is grounded in humility and committed to his 
faith mission.
  Bishop Scott was born in Macon, Georgia to the late William and 
Jessie Lee Scott. He received a calling and started preaching in August 
of 1971 at the Community Church of God in Macon, under the ministry of 
Rev. G. H. Williams. Through his time at the Community Church of God, 
Bishop Scott was encouraged and called to church leadership.
  During the latter part of the 1970's, Bishop Scott relocated to 
Jacksonville, Florida to work in ministry with his spiritual Father, 
the late Rev. Dr. Richard Harry Patrick Cleaveland, at the 4th Street 
Church of God, where he served as the pastor of youth and young adults.
  For over 40 years, Bishop Scott has served as the senior pastor for 
the 34th Street Church of God. Under his leadership, the church has 
experienced significant growth. His support and commitment to education 
directed him to open the King's Kids Christian Academy, one of the 
premier schools in Tampa, Florida. Bishop Scott's work with the 
community motivated him to initiate the Tampa Bay Family and Community 
Development Corporation, as well as many other ministries that are far 
reaching and touching the lives of my Tampa Bay neighbors.
  His commitment to the community did not stop at the church 
leadership. Bishop Scott was elected in 1996 to serve on the 
Hillsborough County Board of Commissioner until 2006, in which I had 
the honor to work alongside him for four years. After just one year in 
the job, his colleagues on the Board elected him chairman. Furthermore, 
he was elected in 2007 to the Tampa City Council, serving for three 
terms as chairman. Bishop Scott has a long reputation of building 
bridges across the community through his work as a public servant and 
church leader, gaining the trust of colleagues and members of the 
community. In his public roles, Bishop Scott was an outspoken advocate 
for affordable housing, health care and care of elders.
  The commitment to his values and his family are demonstrated by his 
41 years of marriage to his wife, Marva. Bishop Scott and Mrs. Marva 
have two sons, Marcus and Marlon, one daughter, Marla, and two 
daughters-in-law, Tanya Y. Scott and Tiese N. Scott. Their growing 
family is completed by twelve grandchildren.
  Bishop Scott is a role model to my neighbors. His extensive 
educational background is composed of B.A. in Criminal Justice and a 
Minor in Sociology from the University of North Florida. Additionally, 
he earned a M.A. in Biblical Studies from the Assembly of God 
Theological Seminary. Later, in 1995 he earned a Doctor of Divinity 
degree from the Southern California School of Ministry. To complete his 
education, Bishop Scott was conferred a Doctor of Humane Letters degree 
by the Florida Metropolitan University.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Tampa Bay community, I am honored to 
celebrate Bishop Thomas Scott for his lifelong dedication to service--
to his church, his family, and his community. His story is one that 
embodies the best of American values and spirit, guided by faith and 
compassion.

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