[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7882]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      IN CELEBRATION OF THE RETIREMENT OF REVEREND ISAAC SINGLETON

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DEBORAH L. HALVORSON

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 18, 2009

  Mrs. HALVORSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Reverend 
Isaac Singleton's retirement after 47 years with the Mount Zion Baptist 
Church in Joliet, Illinois. Reverend Singleton earned his recognition 
as a south suburban icon many years ago. After working on a plantation 
in Louisiana with his father, he joined the Army Air Force during World 
War II. He later settled in Joliet, where he has enjoyed a 60 year 
marriage with his wife Pearl. He is known locally as a symbol of the 
civil rights movement for marching alongside the great Martin Luther 
King, Jr. in Montgomery, Alabama and is featured in both ``Who's Who 
Among Black Americans'' and the Joliet Will County Hall of Pride.
  As pastor at Mount Zion Baptist Church, Reverend Singleton saw the 
congregation grow from an intimate 100 members to the ever faithful, 
flourishing parish of 2,000 members it is currently. Reverend 
Singleton's influence is seen all over Joliet, from the 28,000 square 
foot presence of Mount Zion Baptist church to the street named after 
him to the Family Life Center he founded. He is respected 
internationally as well, having preached in five different continents 
and having built churches in Africa.
  Reverend Singleton retires this month after a fulfilling, impressive, 
and inspirational career. He is truly an asset to Joliet as well as the 
global faith community. It is with great pride that I celebrate the 
career of Reverend Isaac Singleton. May his retirement be fruitful and 
joyous.

                          ____________________