[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 87 (Thursday, May 22, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S3114]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING 300 YEARS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES

 Mr. ROUNDS. Mr. President, on June 12, 2025, we recognize the 
celebration of the tricentennial anniversary of the Reformed Church in 
the United States, RCUS, at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in 
South Dakota.
  The mission of the German Reformed Church in America, now known as 
the Reformed Church in the United States, officially began in the 
United States in 1725 when Rev. John Phillip Boehm formally organized a 
dozen congregations in Pennsylvania.
  Throughout its history, the Reformed Church in the United States has 
had countless courageous members stand up for the American values of 
life and liberty. German Reformed immigrant John Peter Zenger was 
responsible for the first ruling of an American jury against a royal 
governor. Captain Peter Humrickhouse of the Church's Germantown 
congregation crossed the Delaware with General George Washington and 
was selected by General Washington to deliver a wagon train of powder 
to Yorktown. Baron von Steuben served in the Continental Army and 
trained troops at Valley Forge. Multiple German Reformed pastors 
volunteered as chaplains in the Continental Army.
  As a testament to the Reformed Church's service to the United States 
of America, upon his inauguration as President, General George 
Washington published a letter to the pastors and elders of the German 
Reformed Church in America commending their loyalty to the cause of 
liberty.
  It is fitting that the Reformed Church in the United States celebrate 
its tricentennial anniversary at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, 
among the great faces of our Presidents, as a testament to the role 
RCUS played in preserving our Nation's legacy and ideals. It is 
nonetheless appropriate that the celebration be held in South Dakota, 
as the State did significant work in advancing the Reformed Church in 
the United States through the Eureka Classis.
  Three hundred years after its founding, the Reformed Church in the 
United States shares the gospel of Jesus Christ and ministers to people 
both at home in the United States and across the world.
  The tricentennial anniversary of the Reformed Church in the United 
States is an incredible time to commemorate the invaluable ways the 
church has shaped the intellectual and spiritual life of American 
communities.

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