[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 22963-22964]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION ON 
                         ITS 125TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM COOPER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2007

  Mr. COOPER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the African 
Methodist Episcopal Church Sunday School Union on the occasion of its 
125th anniversary. The Sunday School

[[Page 22964]]

Union has played a critical role not only in preserving the church's 
history, but also in educating its members and providing an encouraging 
vision for the future. For over a century, the Union has been a fine 
contributor to the Nashville community, to the State of Tennessee, and 
to many parts of the world that have benefited from this organization's 
publications and services.
  As far back as 1818, there grew a call within the African Methodist 
Episcopal Church for an organization that would produce suitable 
literature for its youth and would advocate training for its Sunday 
school teachers. Richard Allen, the church's founder, knew that in 
order for the church to grow, effective circulation of the information 
would be essential.
  In 1847, the A.M.E. Church began considering several proposals for an 
organization that could achieve these goals. In 1882, after over 60 
years of preparation, Reverend Charles Smith presented the final plan 
to the bishop in Cape May, NJ. The Department of Publications and Book 
Concern was created, publishing the first Sunday school literature by 
African-Americans. In a letter to Reverend Smith, Frederick Douglass 
wrote that the Union ``will doubtless be a luminous point in the moral 
and intellectual progress of the colored people of the South.''
  In 1886, Reverend Smith purchased a five-story brick building on the 
square in Nashville for the newly founded organization. Madam Speaker, 
I take great pride in the fact that, since that time, Nashville has 
been the headquarters for the Sunday School Union.
  In the years that followed, a number of dedicated and capable men led 
the Union, They sought to innovate the production process and to 
improve the quality of the publications. Reverend William Chappelle 
took over for Reverend Smith in 1900 as secretary-treasurer and served 
for 8 years. He was followed by Ira Bryant, under whose leadership the 
Union acquired additional property and purchased a modern printing 
plant. Then in 1936, E.A Selby headed the Union, and it was during his 
term that the Department of Publications and the Book Concern merged 
with the Sunday School Union.
  Reverend Charles Spivey, Sr., was elected in 1964 and served until 
his retirement in 1972. Upon the announcement of his retirement, 
Reverend Spivey made a generous donation of $20,000 to the A.M.E. 
Church to help support its continued growth. Reverend Henry Belin, Jr., 
who followed Spivey, secured a new publishing house for the Union. 
Under his leadership, the Union published not only denominational 
materials, but also several scholarly works covering topics such as 
theology and history.
  Reverend Belin was ordained as a bishop in 1984, and Reverend A. Lee 
Henderson was elected in his stead. Henderson revamped the Union's 
publications, giving the Sunday school literature and other 
publications a new look through the use of brilliant color and creative 
graphics.
  In 2000, Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour was elected. The efforts of 
Secretary-Treasurer Barbour and of Bishops Philip Cousin, Sr., McKinley 
Young, Gregory Ingram, and Vashti McKenzie have combined to lead the 
Union to its current strong state on its 125th anniversary. Because of 
their passion, the Union can look forward to a bright future.
  This anniversary marks real accomplishment that years of perseverance 
have made possible. For decades, the African Methodist Episcopal Sunday 
School Union has focused its energy and its talent, making itself a 
first-class publishing institution. Today, the A.M.E. Sunday School 
Union continues its mission, publishing the highest quality hymnals, 
study courses, and church materials.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the African Methodist 
Episcopal Sunday School Union, whose exemplary publications have 
strengthened the church and have fostered intellectual growth for over 
a century. I would like to ask the House to join me in extending warm 
congratulations to the Sunday School Union on its 125th anniversary. 
May it enjoy many years of continued success.

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