[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14881]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     IN HONOR OF PASTOR JOHN PARISH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J.C. WATTS, JR

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 25, 2002

  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, In my home town of Eufaula, 
Oklahoma, we are blessed by a wonderful sense of community, where 
neighbors help neighbors, and no one is a stranger. One important 
reason for this great blessing is the inspired guidance of our 
religious leaders.
  One of those leaders has been bringing God's word to not only Eufaula 
but also, through his daily radio program, to folks throughout 
Oklahoma, for 27 years. Pastor John Parish of the Lighthouse Christian 
Center has been a beacon of faith and prayer, of hope and love, and of 
charity and outreach to the less fortunate.
  Though John is not a physically large man, he has a large voice and a 
large presence that is respected by his congregation and the entire 
community. He is a caring man and he leads a loving and caring church. 
During last year's ice storm, you didn't have to be a member of his 
church to receive an outstretched hand of help from Pastor Parish. He 
went wherever he was needed.
  John is supported in his ministry by his remarkable wife Rhea, and 
the church's youth ministry is led by his son Jonathan and his wife 
Kelly. Thanks to the contributions of this wonderful family, Eufaula is 
a better place to live and raise a family.
  This Sunday the community and John's congregation are gathering to 
celebrate his 50th birthday. I would like to congratulate John on this 
milestone and thank him for his lifetime of dedication and service to 
our wonderful Savior, to family and to our community.

                          ____________________