[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 83 (Tuesday, May 14, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E486]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING REVEREND CECIL WILLIAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 14, 2024

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
and legacy of my dear friend and incomparable moral and spiritual 
leader of the Bay Area, Reverend Cecil Williams, who passed away at the 
age of 94 on April 22, 2024.
  Albert Cecil Williams was born September 22, 1929 in San Angelo, 
Texas. After graduating from the Perkins School of Theology at Southern 
Methodist University in 1955, he moved to the Bay Area and became the 
pastor of Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco.
  Reverend Williams took over Glide Memorial Church when the 
congregation numbered only 35 people and transformed it into a world-
renowned congregation and nonprofit. He challenged the status quo and 
sought to create a church that was inclusive of all, forming the 
Council on Religion and the Homosexual in 1964, bringing religious 
leaders and LGBTQ activists together. Reverend Williams began 
performing marriage ceremonies for gay couples decades before gay 
marriage was legal in California. He also hosted civil rights rallies 
and welcomed several activists to speak at Glide Memorial Church.
  Reverend Williams used his position at the church to serve his 
community in many ways. Glide opened its own free health clinic, legal 
clinic, HIV prevention center, and women's health center. He created 
the Free Meals Program in 1980 and fed three hot meals a day to 2,000 
community members in San Francisco.
  Reverend Williams continued his work in the community his whole life. 
After retiring from his role as church pastor in 2000, he remained the 
Minister of Liberation and CEO of the GLIDE Foundation until just last 
year.
  Cecil Williams is preceded in death by his wife Janice Mirikitani, 
who shared the title of founder and president of the GLIDE Foundation 
with Reverend Williams. He is survived by his son, Albert Williams Jr. 
and daughter, Kimberly Williams.
  Reverend Williams has been a friend and mentor since I was in 
college. His decades-long leadership of Glide made an enormous impact 
on our community. I remember taking Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm to 
Glide and the excitement and love Reverend Williams displayed to her.
  His presence in our community will be deeply missed. May he rest in 
eternal peace and power, reunited with his beloved wife, Janice.

                          ____________________