[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 21848-21849]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 TRIBUTE TO THE REVEREND JOHN ALPHONSO FERGUSON FOR A CAREER OF SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 6, 2000

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the Reverend John Alphonso 
Ferguson is the founding pastor of the Second Baptist Church of 
Richmond Heights, in my Congressional District. On Saturday, October 
28, 2000, our entire community and Rev. Ferguson's friends, admirers 
and members of his congregation will gather at the Dadeland Marriott 
Hotel to wish him Godspeed upon his retirement after 36 years of 
service.
  Ordained a minister at the First Baptist Church of Logan Park in 
Norfolk, Virginia on November 17, 1959, he moved in 1961 to Florida to 
establish the Second Baptist Church in South Dade's Richmond Heights 
community. Amidst the countless sermons he

[[Page 21849]]

preached, the baptismals and christenings he presided over, and the 
weddings and funerals he performed, Reverend Ferguson was likewise 
indefatigable in reaching out to the schools and homes, hospitals and 
community organizations that sought and obtained his sage advice and 
wisdom.
  The longevity of his pastorate in the vineyard of the Lord truly 
represents a stewardship that is inspiring. He remarkably transformed 
the Second Baptist Church into one of the most active congregations in 
Miami-Dade County. His role as spiritual leader and consummate activist 
has immensely enlightened and guided church members as they tackle the 
agenda of participatory government based on their God-given conscience 
and responsibility.
  It is fitting for us to pause and reflect on the role that Reverend 
Ferguson played in the day-to-day affairs of our community during the 
last 36 years. He has truly personified the example of Christ as the 
Good Shepherd, leading his flock to become ``. . . the light of the 
world and salt of the earth'' through his preaching of God's word and 
spreading the good news of the gospels.
  I am privileged to enjoy his friendship and confidence, and I will 
always be grateful for his example of leading us to live by his noble 
ethnic of always loving God through the service of our fellow human 
beings, especially those who could least fend for themselves.
  The testament of his faithful consecration to our community's well-
being buttresses the noble legacy he now leaves with us. I extend to 
him the thanks of our community for a job well done and our best wishes 
for a well-deserved retirement.

                          ____________________