[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 171 (Thursday, October 16, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7156-S7157]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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   TRIBUTE TO REV. DR. WILLIAM E. FLIPPIN, SR. AND FIRST LADY SYLVIA 
                                FLIPPIN

 Mr. OSSOFF. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate and honor 
Rev. Dr. William E. Flippin, Sr., and First Lady Sylvia Taylor Flippin 
for their 35 years of ministry, service, and leadership at the Greater 
Piney Grove Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA.
  Throughout their nearly four decades of service at ``The Grove,'' 
Rev. Dr. Flippin, Sr., and First Lady Flippin have showcased 
distinguished leadership and a steadfast commitment to uplifting 
members of the Greater Piney Grove congregation and Georgians at large.
  After leading Springfield Baptist Church in Greensboro and Shoal 
Creek Baptist Church in Locust Grove, both of which were founded by 
former slaves, Rev. Dr. Flippin, Sr., took the reigns as senior pastor 
of the Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church in Atlanta in 1990 and 
quickly became a catalyst

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of upward change for the church, its congregants, and the community.
  Since being named senior pastor of ``The Grove,'' Rev. Dr. Flippin, 
Sr., and First Lady Flippin have led transformational work inside the 
church. Under their leadership, the church has inaugurated a family 
life center, a 1500-seat worship center, a community resource center, 
and established the Grove's Gardens at East Lake Senior Living 
Community.
  Beyond his devoted work at the pulpit, Rev. Dr. Flippin, Sr., has 
served as a mentor to many and as a leading advocate for education. 
During his time as assistant director of Black church relations for the 
Georgia Baptist Convention, he was responsible for the organization of 
Baptist Student Unions at colleges and universities across Georgia and 
the management of ministerial scholarships. In 2024, the State of 
Georgia honored him by naming the bridge on Glenwood Avenue crossing 
Interstate 20 in Atlanta as ``The Reverend Dr. William E. Flippin, Sr. 
Bridge.''
  Originally from Nashville, TN, Rev. Dr. Flippin, Sr., holds a 
bachelor of arts degree in mathematics and business administration from 
Fisk University. He graduated cum laude from Candler School of Theology 
at Emory University with a master of divinity degree, honored as a 
Benjamin E. Mays Fellow and recipient of the Fund for Theological 
Education scholarship. He furthered his education with a doctor of 
ministry degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL, and 
is certified as a Life Transformational Coach and Leadership Coach 
Trainer.
  First Lady Sylvia Flippin, a graduate of Vanderbilt University and 
holder of a master's degree in education from Georgia State University, 
served as a mathematics instructional coach for the DeKalb County Board 
of Education. The couple have four children: Rev. Dr. William Edward 
Flippin, Jr., and his wife Kedra Flippin; Rev. Dr. Richard Curtis 
Flippin; Rev. Joseph Charles Taylor Flippin; and Miss Sylvia Joi 
Flippin. They are also grandparents to Shamel Emani and Khloe Kristina 
Taylor.
  Rev. Dr. Flippin, Sr., and First Lady Flippin's 35 years of ministry 
and service to our communities have been of thoughtful leadership both 
inside and outside of the church, and they have touched the lives of 
many Georgians along his journey.
  As Georgia's U.S. Senator, I congratulate and commend Rev. Dr. 
William E. Flippin, Sr., and First Lady Sylvia T. Flippin for this 
esteemed milestone and for their continued service to the State of 
Georgia.

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