[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18975]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO REV. DR. ROBERT E. LOWERY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 12, 2007

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is with great respect and deep 
sadness that I take this time to remember one of Northwest Indiana's 
most distinguished citizens, Reverend Dr. Robert E. Lowery, pastor of 
Saint Timothy Community Church in Gary, IN. On Tuesday, July 10, 2007, 
Reverend Lowery passed away at the University of Chicago Medical Center 
at the age of 82. A constant fixture in the community, Reverend Lowery 
understood how to communicate with all people. For this, Reverend 
Lowery appropriately earned the nickname, ``Everyman's Preacher.''
  Robert E. Lowery was born on the west side of Chicago. An 
accomplished scholar, he obtained degrees in theology from the Chicago 
Theological Seminary, the Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL, 
and a Bachelor of Science degree from George Williams College in 
Chicago. Though Chicago was his home, he eventually relocated to Gary, 
Indiana and took over as pastor of Saint Timothy Community Church in 
1957. For the past 50 years, Reverend Lowery has called Gary his home, 
and the impact he has had on his congregation and the entire community 
will forever be remembered. Under his leadership, Saint Timothy has 
grown to become one of the city's largest congregations with over 1,600 
members.
  Reverend Lowery's lifetime of service to his community goes far 
beyond his pastoral duties. Knowing that preaching was only a small 
part of the impact he could have on people's lives, Reverend Lowery 
became actively involved in many local organizations. Realizing the 
need to reach people at an early age, he dedicated himself to programs 
aimed at improving the lives of the youth in the community and 
enhancing their opportunities to lead successful lives. Reverend Lowery 
felt a tremendous responsibility to reach out to the youth, and it was 
for this reason that he became active in the Boy Scouts of America. 
Fully dedicated to the mission of the Boy Scouts, Reverend Lowery 
served as Scoutmaster for Troop 53 at Saint Timothy, and he also served 
as an executive board member of the Calumet Council of the Boy Scouts 
of America. Reverend Lowery's generosity and commitment to the children 
of Northwest Indiana will forever be remembered by the children he 
mentored.
  Recognized for his work in his community, Reverend Lowery was the 
recipient of many awards, both local and national. While it would be 
impossible to name them all, Reverend Lowery's efforts led to him being 
honored with the prestigious Drum Major Award, presented by the Gary 
Frontiers Service Club in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and his 
most worthy induction into Gary's Steel City Hall of Fame in 1990.
  Reverend Lowery leaves to cherish his memory three daughters: Gay 
Marlene Lowery, Jan Avis Lowery, and Lynn Michele Lowery-Darby, as well 
as an entire community whose lives have been improved by such a caring 
and benevolent friend and mentor.
  Madam Speaker, I respectfully ask that you and my other distinguished 
colleagues join me in honoring Reverend Dr. Robert E. Lowery for his 
outstanding devotion to his congregation and to all of Northwest 
Indiana. His unselfish and lifelong dedication to the people he served 
is worthy of the highest commendation. Reverend Lowery's selflessness 
was an inspiration to us all. While the entire community is saddened by 
his passing, his message will live on through the many lives he has 
touched.

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