[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13379]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO REV. DR. J.C. WADE, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 21, 2007

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and sincerity 
that I wish to honor Reverend Dr. J.C. Wade, Jr. on the 50th 
anniversary of his ministry, as well as his 42 years of service at Zion 
Missionary Baptist Church in East Chicago, Indiana. Zion Missionary 
Baptist Church will be honoring Reverend Wade on Friday, May 25, 2007, 
at the Pastor's Anniversary Banquet, which will take place at the 
Genesis Convention Center in Gary, Indiana. There will also be an 
anniversary service at Zion Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday, May 
27, 2007.
  Reverend Wade was born in Memphis, Tennessee and raised in Omaha, 
Nebraska. As a young child, Reverend Wade accepted Jesus Christ as his 
Savior. He was licensed in 1957 and ordained in 1961 at the Salem 
Missionary Baptist Church in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1961, he pastored at 
Samaria Baptist Church in Van Alstyne, Texas; then from 1964 to March 
1965, he served the congregation at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Van 
Buren, Arkansas. In 1965, Reverend Wade relocated to the Zion 
Missionary Baptist Church in East Chicago, where he has been serving as 
Pastor and leader for 42 years.
  Reverend Wade has held many prominent positions within the community. 
He is the former President of the General Missionary Baptist State 
Convention of Indiana and the State Vice President of the National 
Baptist Convention, for which he also serves on the Board of Directors. 
In addition, Reverend Wade serves as a Devotional Leader for the 
National Sunday School and is involved with the B.T.U. Congress--
Pastors Division. He is a current member of the National Association 
for the Advancement of Colored People and Operation Push, and he is 
active with the Northwest Indiana Food Bank and the Twin City 
Ministerial Alliance. As if this were not impressive enough, Reverend 
Wade has also found time to travel on a Foreign Mission's Preaching 
team to Africa. Further, he was Vice President of the East Chicago 
Board of Safety for 6 years, consultant to the Mayor of East Chicago 
from 2002-2004, and coordinator for ``Operation Too Great to Wait'' 
Hurricane Katrina Survivors, which took place at the Genesis Convention 
Center in Gary on September 11, 2005.
  A true scholar, Reverend Wade has had a wide range of academic 
training. His degrees include a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Theology, 
Doctorate of Bible Theology, Master of Religious Education, and an 
Honorary Doctorate of Divinity, and he has had extensive International 
Studies in Oxford, England.
  Reverend Wade has also received many accolades throughout his 
lifetime. To name a few, Reverend Wade has received a proclamation from 
the City of East Chicago. In May 2000, the City of East Chicago 
dedicated and renamed Drummond Street to Reverend Dr. J.C. Wade Street 
for his many years of service and dedication to the community. On March 
22, 2007, the Indiana State Senate also issued a proclamation in his 
honor for his dedicated service. Reverend Wade has also been recognized 
nationally as he was selected to travel on 3 pilgrimages to the Holy 
Land as a Nationwide Evangelist, and he has conducted a workshop at the 
District Association Board Meeting in Germany.
  Madam Speaker, at this time, I ask that you and my other 
distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating Reverend Dr. J.C. 
Wade, Jr. as he is honored for his service and ministry. His 50 years 
of service have touched and improved the lives of all whom he has 
served. His unselfish and lifelong dedication is worthy of the highest 
commendation, and I am proud to represent him in Congress.

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