[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Page 25349]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO REV. AND MRS. MELVIN SANDERS

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Rev. Melvin Sanders 
and his wife Emma Sanders for 40 years of service to the Las Vegas 
community. Mr. Sanders and his wife moved to Las Vegas, NV, from 
Arizona in 1954. Mr. and Mrs. Sanders entered the business field 
successfully and have remained involved for over 40 years.
  Reverend Sanders and Emma Sanders are known all over Las Vegas for 
their generosity and warmth toward their neighbors. He and his wife 
assisted multiple families in financial need and have also provided 
ministerial and spiritual outreach to the people of the Las Vegas 
Valley. The Sanders are known as Mom and Dad to literally hundreds of 
Nevadans. Reverend Sanders and his beloved wife have been married for 
57 years and are the proud parents of six children, one of whom 
tragically preceded them in death. The Sanders' church has been in 
existence for 40 years.
  The House of Holiness Church has been open to its congregation for 40 
years, and may best be described as a vibrant and joyful place of 
worship. The church has Sunday school, afternoon service, evening 
service, prayer and Bible band as well as Bible study. The House of 
Holiness may best be described by a verse of Scripture which attests 
``Holiness becometh thine house o Lord for ever.'' It is clear that 
Reverend Sanders and his wife are holy people who try to live as lights 
for God in our world.
  President Obama once said ``Focusing your life solely on making a 
buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of 
yourself. Because it's only when you hitch your wagon to something 
larger than yourself that you realize your true potential.'' This ideal 
is exemplified by Reverend Sanders and Emma, as together they serve 
others and help make Nevada a better place. Whether it be through their 
volunteer efforts with the Salvation Army or by way of their many other 
selfless endeavors, the Sanders help to better their community.
  The Sanders and the House of Holiness Church have a bright future on 
their horizon. I congratulate the Sanders on 57 years of loving 
marriage and 40 years of saintly service to the Las Vegas community.

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