[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16115]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO BISHOP SAMUEL AND MRS. LEE ELLA SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. HAROLD E. FORD, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 4, 2002

  Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay well-deserved tribute to 
Bishop Samuel and Mrs. Lee Ella Smith of Memphis, Tennessee for the 
example they continue to set as honorable citizens of the Ninth 
Congressional District of Tennessee and as devoted servants to God and 
their fellow man.
  As a bishop with the prolific, Memphis-based denomination, the Church 
of God in Christ (COGIC), Bishop Smith has rendered extensive efforts 
to strengthen and expand the work of this five million member 
denomination. His history of stewardship and sacrifice dates back to 
his youth and his service to the denomination's founder, Bishop Charles 
Harrison Mason. From then until now, Bishop Smith has been exemplary in 
leadership, integrity, and undying loyalty to God. He presently serves 
as Administrative Assistant to Jurisdictional Bishop, Dr. Jerry L. 
Maynard of Tennessee, and has worked untiringly with the Presiding 
Bishop of the Church of God in Christ, G.E. Patterson. Bishop Samuel 
Smith also serves as the pastor of one of Memphis' flagship and 
entrenched congregations, Southside Church of God in Christ. His 
influence as a pastor and spiritual leader has been a shining light 
which has illuminated the way for many young ministers who have 
furthered their service in gospel ministry.
  Humble in spirit and rich in faith, Mother Lee Smith has stood with 
her husband as a noble example of virtue. She is also one firmly 
committed to the principles of Christian faith with a record of service 
dating back to her teenage years. Her work with the Church of God in 
Christ encompasses her commitment in the field of education. Equipped 
with vast experiences in ministry and earned degrees in religious 
studies, Mrs. Smith served as Dean of C.H. Mason Bible College in 
addition to her other countless capacities within the church--locally, 
regionally, and nationally. She presently serves as the leader of one 
of COGIC's Department of Women in the State of Tennessee
  Today, I am happy to salute Bishop and Mrs. Smith as they celebrate 
50 years of marriage, Bishop Smith's 75th birthday, Mrs. Smith's 70th 
birthday, and over 40 years of pastoral ministry.
  For their devotion to God and one another, and for the high marks 
they continue to attain, Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues 
in the U.S. House of Representatives would join with me in honoring 
Bishop and Mrs. Samuel Smith of Memphis, Tennessee.

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