[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 25 (Thursday, February 6, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E102-E103]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF REVEREND HENRY WILLIAMSON, SR.

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                        HON. JONATHAN L. JACKSON

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 6, 2025

  Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
life and legacy of Chicago legend, Reverend Henry Williamson, Sr., who 
sadly passed away this past Christmas day at the age of 76. Reverend 
Williamson leaves behind an iconic legacy of faith, service, and 
stewardship that has positively impacted the lives of all his 
congregants.
  Reverend Williamson was born in 1949 in Arkansas and was first called 
to ministry in 1967 at Israel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in 
Gary, Indiana. He was ordained as an elder in 1969 by Bishop J. Claude 
Allen. His ministry spanned from 1969 through 2002 at CME churches 
across the country. Notably, he pastored at Carter Temple CME Church in 
Chicago for 16 years and led the congregation in growing to over 3,000 
active members with 50 active ministries in the church. During his 
ministry in three Episcopal Districts, over 30 men and women accepted 
their call to preach in the CME Church.
  In each city while serving as pastor, Bishop Williamson motivated the 
congregations he led to meet the spiritual and social needs of the 
church and the larger community. He served as the National President of 
PUSH (People United to Serve Humanity) from 1991 to 1993, helping to 
stabilize the organization financially and continues to work with Rev. 
Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. on the National Board of Rainbow/PUSH.
  Bishop Williamson was the founder and CEO of One Church One School 
Community Partnership Program. This nationwide program involves 
churches and schools in partnerships

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that teach our young people to Value Life and Learning. Over 200 One 
Church One School partnerships across the Nation are positively 
impacting students through tutoring and mentoring programs, parent 
involvement, homework assistance programs, scholarships, and student 
empowerment conferences. The CME Church formally adopted a resolution 
supporting One Church, One School program at its 1994 General 
Conference.
  Bishop Williamson received numerous awards and Keys to the City 
including the 2001 Keeper of the Dream, Purdue University's Outstanding 
Alumni Award, Pastor of the New Generation, PUSH Dream Keepers Award, 
and Black Expo Award for Community Leadership, among others. Bishop 
Williamson serves on the Boards of Northern Trust Bank, and World 
Methodist Council of Churches.
  Most proud of his family, he and his wife Doris Yvonne are the proud 
parents of Henry, Jr., a graduate of Northwestern University, and 
currently a financial analyst with LaSalle Partners of Chicago, and 
married to Dana Soedarmo-Williamson; and Kelli Daonne, a graduate of 
Chicago State University, and currently teaching Music Education in the 
Chicago Public Schools, and married to Dr. Ramon W. Key, Jr. Their 
grandsons, Jonathan, Henry III, and Derek Alexander, are the source of 
much joy and happiness in their lives. Bishop Williamson was especially 
grateful to his mother Mrs. Alma J. Carvin of Gary, IN for her love, 
influence, and sacrifice in making him the son, husband, father and 
Christian leader that he is today, in the body of Christ.
  Bishop Williamson was a much sought after public speaker and an 
advocate for civil and human rights and especially for the needs of 
children and youth. His favorite scripture--Philippians 4:13--``I can 
do all things through Christ who strengthens me!''

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