[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 20, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E473]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING REVEREND GERMAINE M.W. ANDERSON, TH.M.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 2026

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate 
Reverend Germaine M.W. Anderson, Th.M. for his inauguration as the 14th 
Pastor in Succession of Second Baptist Church of Vallejo.
  I also rise to extend my sincere appreciation for his distinguished 
leadership, service, and commitment to community transformation. The 
Second Baptist Church of Vallejo has stood for more than 118 years 
known to be a pillar of this proud community, earning its other name as 
``The Mother Church'' and as ``The Jewel of the North Bay.''
  There is probably no better word to describe Second Baptist Church of 
Vallejo as ``The Mother Church'' because like a mother who loves their 
children, this church has provided for the community, with food, with 
emergency relief for families and with unity for almost 120 years. 
Think of everything that has happened in the last 118 years. The Mother 
Church was there. The Jewel of the North Bay was there. This place of 
worship was there. We cannot talk about the history of this church 
without mentioning this incredible fact: That this is the first and 
oldest Black church in Vallejo. This church saw Jim Crow, which 
manifested itself here in Vallejo when families fled the violence of 
the South.
  This church saw the passage of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting 
Rights Act; all of which is even more relevant now, as everything that 
the Civil Rights movement built is now being torn down but that means 
that faith is even more important now than it has ever been.
  This church needs a capable leader to navigate these hard times and 
with no doubt, that is why Reverend Germaine M.W. Anderson, Th.M., is 
the right person to serve as the 14th Pastor in Succession of Second 
Baptist Church of Vallejo. Reverend Anderson has faithfully served the 
Oakland community and the greater Bay Area through years of impactful 
ministry, community outreach, mentorship, and civic engagement, earning 
recognition and acknowledgments from distinguished civic leaders, 
including former Mayor Libby Schaaf, for his commitment to 
strengthening communities and serving the people of the Bay Area.
  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful that such a historic place of worship will 
be in the most dedicated and capable hands of Reverend Anderson. Once 
again, I congratulate Reverend Anderson whose distinguished leadership, 
service, and commitment to the community will no doubt continue the 
stellar reputation of this church for generations to come.

                          ____________________