[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22451]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH IN KANSAS CITY, KANSAS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DENNIS MOORE

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2003

  Mr. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 50th anniversary 
of the Salem Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kansas, and to honor Rev. 
Charles Buford Bailey and his wife Geneva Stephens Bailey, who have 
guided the Salem Baptist Church since 1955.
  After combat military service during World War II, Charles Bailey met 
and married Geneva Stephens. In 1948, Charles was called to the 
ministry. In 1954, he graduated from the Western Baptist Seminary. The 
Baileys are the proud parents of Charles, Nozella, Timothy, and 
Gelaine.
  In 1955, Rev. Bailey became pastor of the Salem Baptist Church, which 
was founded by a small group on congregants in 1953. The fledgling 
church began by meeting for services in the Economy Dance Hall on Fifth 
Street of Kansas City, Kansas. Rev. Bailey's reputation grew as a fiery 
and dynamic preacher. A year later, the church moved to 1820 N. 11th 
Street, in Kansas City, Kansas, which became the permanent home of the 
congregation.
  After serving her community as a public school teacher for 14 years, 
Mrs. Bailey became Director of Christian Education of Salem Baptist 
Church in 1970. In 1987, she earned her Master's in education from 
Kansas State University.
  The Salem Baptist Church grew in numbers and reputation under the 
Baileys' stewardship. When Rev. and Mrs. Bailey retired, Rev. Tony 
Carter, Jr., became pastor of the congregation, and Rev. Bailey became 
Pastor Emeritus of the church.
  Today, on behalf of the hundreds of lives that have been touched by 
their work and ministry, I would like to thank Rev. and Mrs. Bailey for 
their years of commitment to the church and the community. Mr. Speaker, 
congratulations to Salem Baptist Church on this wonderful anniversary!

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