[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 13424]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO REVEREND BOBBY WELCH

 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I would like to take this 
opportunity to recognize Reverend Bobby Welch, a native of Fort Payne, 
AL. Recently, Reverend Welch was elected President of the 16.3 million 
member Southern Baptist Convention. A 1965 graduate of Jacksonville 
State University, Reverend Welch entered the Army and was sent to fight 
in Vietnam, where he demonstrated his bravery and commitment to our 
great Nation. Reverend Welch was shot by Vietnamese forces and left for 
dead on the battlefield. This United States paratrooper, Ranger, and 
Green Beret received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart in recognition of 
his courage and service.
  The achievements of Reverend Welch demonstrate the leadership 
qualities of Americans. Reverend Welch has upheld the principles of our 
Founding Fathers through his military service to his country. His 
courage in harm's way mirrors that of the brave soldiers who now risk 
their lives daily for the maintenance of democracy.
  After his military service, he chose to answer his highest call, the 
Christian ministry. He has poured himself into that calling with 
conviction and zeal, and the harvest has been tremendous. He now 
pastors the 4,000 member First Baptist Church of Daytona Beach, FL. 
And, now, his Southern Baptist Convention has chosen him as their 
president.
  His leadership of this vibrant and growing denomination will continue 
its success in touching the lives of millions who are struggling to 
find meaning in their lives. This denomination every day provides aid, 
comfort, purpose, and hope to people that are hurting and in need. They 
help those who are sick and dying, those with marital problems, those 
in jail, those with alcohol and drug problems. They sanctify marriage, 
celebrate births, and provide solace at times of death and loss. They 
further these goals through a worldwide ministry. They provide specific 
advice and financial help and a vision of an new and better life in 
Christ. That's what they do--and they do it every day. And they do it 
without government aid or direction. They do it also with fidelity, as 
they understand it, to the Word contained in the Holy Scriptures. 
Faithfulness to righteous living, even in times of corruption and 
excess, has always been a cornerstone of the Baptist way and it has 
benefitted our Nation in far more ways than we can list. So, it is 
appropriate that we pause a moment to recognize Reverend Welch and his 
life and the many contributions of the Baptist denomination he 
leads.

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