[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24038]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE 33RD ANNIVERSARY OF BISHOP GEORGE W. BROOKS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MELVIN L. WATT

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 3, 2008

  Mr. WATT. Madam Speaker, I am pleased today to recognize the 33rd 
anniversary of Bishop George W. Brooks as Senior Pastor and Chief Elder 
of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Greensboro, NC.
  Since becoming the pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in 1975, Bishop 
Brooks has proven to be an inspirational leader in Greensboro, our 
nation and around the world.
  Under his leadership, the Mt. Zion Baptist Church has flourished from 
35 members in 1975 to over 5,000, and 42 ministries that work to 
address some of the fundamental needs of its congregation, the 
Greensboro community and people abroad. Examples of these ministries 
include daycare and afterschool programs that serve 200 children daily, 
homeless outreach, health and wellness care and the One In Christ Bible 
College. Internationally, Bishop Brooks and his congregation have 
established churches and schools in West Africa, South Africa and the 
Philippines, including the first Bible School in a South African prison 
to reduce recidivism. In the midst of all his accomplishments, Bishop 
Brooks is also an outstanding husband, father and grandfather.
  Bishop Brooks is also the co-founder of the Welfare Reform Liaison 
Project, a program that has been recognized by the U.S. Department of 
Housing and Urban Development for empowering welfare recipients with 
the skills to become self-sufficient.
  Madam Speaker, we are often reminded and we all agree that government 
can't solve all our problems. It's great to know that we're getting 
help on the ground from faith and other non-government organizations. 
Bishop Brooks and Mt. Zion Baptist Church are certainly doing their 
part. I'm sure my colleagues join me in wishing Bishop George W. Brooks 
and the Mt. Zion Baptist Church congregation a happy 33rd pastoral 
anniversary and best wishes for years to come.

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