[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 14424-14425]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            IN HONOR OF REVEREND O.W. MACK OF HEARNE, TEXAS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHET EDWARDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 13, 2006

  Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, July 16th, the congregation and 
community of Hearne in Robertson County, Texas will honor Reverend O.W. 
Mack for over 45 years of dedicated service as Pastor of the New Elam 
Missionary Baptist Church of Hearne.
  Reverend Mack attended Blackshear School in Hearne and proudly served 
this great nation as a member of the United States Armed Forces. He 
returned to Texas to attend Prairie View A&M University where he became 
an educator. Later he came back to teach in the Hearne Independent 
School District and married Vina E. Blocker, also an educator. He later 
went to theological seminary to become a spiritual leader.
  Reverend Mack was an educator for over 33 years, an Assistant 
Principal for 8 years, and he served on the Hearne Independent School 
District Board of Trustees for over 20 years. He has worked tirelessly 
over the years to improve the quality of education for children in 
Robertson County. His years of service in the field of education are an 
inspiring tribute to our community's values, and his vision for 
children in our community will offer hope for generations to come.
  Under Reverend Mack's leadership as Pastor of the New Elam Baptist 
Church, many programs have been greatly expanded and ministries within 
the church have been enriched. Reverend Mack has led his church in 
mission efforts both locally and statewide. He serves as the President 
of the Congress of Christian Workers of the Lincoln District 
Association under the leadership of Moderator, Dr. W.W. Jackson.

[[Page 14425]]

  Reverend Mack has a history of unselfish devotion to public service, 
a legacy of personal achievement, as well as dedicated commitment to 
his faith and family. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in honoring 
and celebrating the leadership and commitment of Reverend O.W. Mack and 
his wife, Vina for over 45 years of dedication to the spiritual life 
and health of the community of Hearne and Central Texas.
  Thank you Reverend Mack and May God bless you.

                          ____________________