[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 14, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H727-H728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1210
                      HONORING BISHOP ROSIE O'NEAL

  (Mr. DAVIS of North Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DAVIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, Bishop Rosie O'neal, a 
celebrated pastor, author, and Christian leader, after 37 years of 
faithful service, retired as senior pastor on December 14.
  Born in Germany and adopted by Norman and Joann Standifer, she gave 
her life to Christ at the age of 16 at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist 
Church, where her grandfather served as pastor. Bishop O'neal went to 
East Carolina University to join the choir and answer the call to 
ministry,

[[Page H728]]

preaching her first sermon at 17 years old.
  In 1989, she founded Koinonia Christian Center with just 7 members 
and grew it into a ministry of more than 2,500. She is recognized for 
her ``keep it real'' approach, and she is, without a doubt, one of 
eastern North Carolina's most influential faith leaders.
  A cancer survivor, Bishop O'neal is married to Toiriste O'neal, Sr., 
and is known for her deep love of family, friends, and even riding 
motorcycles.
  Congratulations to the O'neal family. May she keep on riding.

                          ____________________