[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 30532]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING THE 134TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BETHEL MISSIONARY BAPTIST 
                         CHURCH OF CROCKETT, TX

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM TURNER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 1999

  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate an 
important milestone in the history of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 
of Crockett, Texas. On October 10, 1999, Bethel Missionary Baptist 
Church celebrated 134 years of service to this East Texas community. As 
the church members celebrate this important anniversary, I ask all of 
my colleagues to join with me today in recognizing this milestone. I 
would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Reverend 
Delvin Atchison for his continued leadership of the Bethel 
congregation.
  Organized in 1965 by newly-freed slaves, Bethel Missionary Baptist 
Church today is a vibrant and growing ministry. As a resident of 
Crockett, I can truly attest to the tremendous impact the church and 
its members continue to have on the lives of Houston County residents. 
Bethel Missionary Baptist Church has become known throughout Crockett 
and surrounding communities as ``A Community of Caring Christians.''
  Through the years Bethel Missionary Baptist Church as profoundly 
influenced the life of our community because it has been blessed with 
lay leaders who have also been leaders in the civic, cultural and 
political affairs of Crockett, Houston County and the State of Texas. 
In addition, Bethel has benefited from the leadership of many gifted 
and talented ministers exemplified by its current pastor, Delvin 
Atchison. My personal relationship with Reverend Atchison and with the 
late Reverend J.T. Groves has been a blessing to me and my family. 
Their leadership has expanded the boundaries of influence of Bethel 
Missionary Baptist Church.
  Bethel's ministry has contributed not only to meeting the spiritual 
needs of the congregation but to the healing, reconciliation and racial 
harmony of the larger community. During the past 134 years, the members 
of the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church congregation have been at the 
forefront in advancing civil rights and civic participation and have 
fostered unity, justice and social progress for all citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me in congratulating the congregation of Bethel Missionary Baptist 
Church, under the guidance of Reverend Atchison, as it celebrates its 
134th anniversary. All past and present church members and pastors 
should be proud of the numerous contributions Bethel Missionary Baptist 
Church has made in the spiritual life of the Crockett community over 
the past 134 years. May God continue to bless this ministry of service 
and caring.

                          ____________________