[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 121 (Thursday, July 23, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E736]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING BISHOP WALTER H. RICHARDSON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 23, 2026

  Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, from the 24th District of the 
great state of Florida, I rise today to honor and congratulate Bishop 
Walter H. Richardson, a man of God, a well-respected spiritual leader 
and a beloved husband and father, who is celebrating 49 years as Pastor 
of The Church of God Tabernacle (True Holiness), in Miami-Dade County.
  Bishop Richardson is one of the longest serving pastors in Miami-Dade 
County. Under Bishop Richardson's leadership, the church has grown to 
include congregations in Belle Glade, Florida and Valdosta, Georgia. 
Bishop Richardson is also highly recognized for the work he does in the 
community through the church's non-profit organization ButlfNot, 
Incorporated.
  Bishop Richardson was called to the ministry at an early age. Under 
the tutelage of his uncle, the late Elder Thomas J. Richardson, the 
founding pastor of The Church of God Tabernacle (True Holiness), and 
Elder Richardson's wife, the late Evangelist M.E. Richardson, a young 
Bishop Richardson would embody the skills to carry on the legacy begun 
by his uncle and aunt to lead one of the South Florida's most 
influential congregations.
  On November 30, 1946, Bishop Richardson was ordained an evangelist at 
The Church of God Tabernacle (True Holiness). He was named pastor of 
the church in May of 1965 and elevated to the position of Elder in 
1967. He was ordained and installed as the first Bishop of The Church 
of God Tabernacle (True Holiness) in 1996.
  Bishop Richardson is the husband of Missionary E.C. Betty Forbes 
Richardson, the father of Dr. Walter T. Richardson and Elder Alfred J. 
Richardson, and the stepfather of Clifford J. Forbes and Dobrie Forbes.
  Please join me in honoring Bishop Walter H. Richardson for his 
commitment to spreading the Word of God and for his commitment to his 
congregation, his family, friends, and to our community.

                          ____________________