[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13778]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE OF REVEREND JOE BAMBERG

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 23, 2007

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States 
Congress, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to recognize and 
remember an inspirational leader in our community, Reverend Joe 
Bamberg. Brother Joe left us Monday morning, May 21, at the age of 91. 
Brother Joe was a selfless leader who will sorely be missed by his 
family, congregation and community. Our thoughts and prayers remain 
with Mary, his wife of 63 years, as well as his three children, one 
grandchild, two great-grandchildren, and his sister.
  In his early years, Brother Joe served as a pastor in his native 
Alabama hometown and as an Army chaplain during World War II. However, 
beginning in 1947, Brother Joe became the pastor of First Baptist 
Church of Milton, where he served for 60 faithful years. Reverend David 
Spencer, who is the current pastor of First Baptist Church, credits 
Brother Joe for the constant growth of the congregation, saying ``He 
was such a worker, a tireless person. He got out and found people, won 
people for the Lord, and built up this church.''
  Brother Joe not only worked to strengthen his own congregation, but 
also reached out and led efforts to begin five other churches in the 
community. The purpose of his ministry was simply to lead others to 
Christianity, regardless of whom they were and which church they 
attended.
  Brother Joe's humility was one of his greatest qualities. As a 
pastor, he intentionally put others before himself. To account for his 
character, his wife, Mary said her husband made sure to stand at the 
same level as his congregation during the service. No matter the 
circumstance, ``Joe never took a day off and he refused many pay raise 
offers.''
  In 1980, Brother Joe graciously stepped down from the pulpit; 
however, he continued to serve as pastor emeritus. Persistent in his 
work, he continued to assist his community through visiting and 
preaching at local hospitals and nursing homes.
  Brother Joe was truly a servant to the Milton community. Reverend 
Spencer most accurately describes the great significance of Brother 
Joe's life, saying, ``He was a fixture in this county; I cannot 
overstate the impact he had on this community and on this church.'' It 
is certain that the world has lost a great man. May God rest his soul 
and continue to bless his family.

                          ____________________