[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 16344]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 16344]]

    A POINT OF LIGHT FOR ALL AMERICANS: REVEREND BOOKER T. McCOLLUM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 15, 1999

  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Reverend Booker T. McCollum, 
an individual who has tirelessly dedicated his life to making society 
better. This individual has made a lifetime commitment to the church 
and to the community. His vision, generosity, and devotion have 
empowered Reverend McCollum to not only spread the word of God but to 
uplift all those he has encountered. Reverend Booker T. McCollum is a 
great ``Point-of-Light'' whose work has not gone unappreciated or 
unnoticed.
  Although his roots are in Mississippi, Reverend McCollum began his 
ministry in Brooklyn, NY. After relocating to New York, he joined the 
Friendship Baptist Church in Brooklyn and faithfully served as 
assistant church clerk, chairman of the trustees and deacon boards, and 
later as assistant to the pastor. In 1964, Reverend McCollum accepted 
the call to preach. By 1966, the reverend became an ordained and 
licensed Baptist minister. He continued to work diligently at the 
Friendship Baptist Church until he was moved by God to pursue his 
vision of starting a new church mission.
  The vision would materialize as the St. Anthony Baptist Church 
located at 425 Utica Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Reverend McCollum adopted 
the philosophy: ``St. Anthony Baptist Church is the church where 
everybody is somebody and God is over all and where there are no big 
I's and little U's.'' This philosophy has helped what was once a 
gathering of a few faithful members at the home of Mr. & Mrs. James 
Parker become a pillar in the Brooklyn community.
  Reverend McCollum was educated at Cornell Labor College of Law and 
the Baptist Education Center. His professional career includes 
employment with The United Furniture Workers Labor Union, Local 140 
where he held the position of secretary/treasurer. He served in a 
religious capacity as president of the Evangelical Minister's Union, 
and he is the recipient of countless awards and citations. In addition 
to serving God and his community, Reverend McCollum served his country 
with distinction in the U.S. Navy.
  Reverend Booker T. McCollum married ``Grace Barnes'' in 1943. There 
were happily married for more than 50 years and had three children: 
David, Gloria and Russell. His distinguished life marks one of 
dedication to community, to God, and to family. Reverend McCollum is a 
great ``Point of Light,'' not only for people of his New York 
community, but for all of the people of America.

                          ____________________