[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21169]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ON THEIR 100TH YEAR OF CONTINUED 
                   SERVICE TO THE FLUSHING COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 22, 2005

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the First 
Presbyterian Church of Flushing, New York. This year marks the church's 
100th anniversary and during the past century its members have 
dedicated themselves to serving God and our community.
  The First Presbyterian Church was founded in 1904 when Rev. Benjamin 
Parliman, unable to find any existing Presbyterian churches in 
Flushing, built a new church and held its first worship service on 
January 22, 1905. In the past hundred years, the church has grown and 
adapted, but it has never once strayed from its commitment to serving 
our community.
  When hardships struck our neighbors, the First Presbyterian Church 
was there to ease their troubles and offer support in any way possible. 
During the Great Depression, with a membership of over 425, then 
Reverend Charles Woodbridge organized employment committees to aid 
those who lost their jobs. Immediately following the stock market crash 
of 1929, Rev. Woodbridge helped to establish a relief ministry to 
support those victimized by the nation's economic plight. When the 
strain and terror of war struck the Nation during the first and second 
World Wars, the church continued to console and support its members. 
Since then, the church has grown in numbers and expanded in size, 
adding new programs for youth and adults and erecting more facilities 
for education and worship.
  In 1974 a Women's Fellowship was started and not long after Ms. Irene 
Galati became the first woman elder to be ordained at the church. 
Furthermore, a Korean church was begun to better serve the growing 
Korean population of the area. A free counseling center was created in 
1980, along with a clothing exchange program, both of which continue to 
serve the community today. More recently, current pastor Rev. Dr. John 
Smucker has implemented new programs such as the English Language 
center, which helps teach English to those in need, and the Murray Hill 
Neighborhood Association, which is a non-profit group dedicated to 
raising funds for teaching English as a second language, the food 
pantry, free counseling services, after school programs and the Home 
Care Fund.
  Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of its 100th year of service to the 
community of Flushing, I ask that the whole House join me in 
congratulating this outstanding house of worship and a strong pillar in 
our community for all that it has done thus far, and in wishing the 
church, its members and clergy many more years of success and good 
fortune.

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