[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21097]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    COMMENDING BRO. STUART TOMS UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RODNEY ALEXANDER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 14, 2010

  Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam Speaker, it is with enormous pride that I rise 
today to commend Bro. Stuart Toms upon the occasion of his retirement 
from the Sweetwater Baptist Church. His unwavering dedication and 
service to Jackson Parish is admirable and deserving of our 
appreciation.
  At a young age, Bro. Stuart began his impressive list of endeavors. 
In 1959, he was named class valedictorian of Quitman High School. He 
went on to further his education at Northeast Louisiana University 
(NLU), which today is known as the University of Louisiana-Monroe. 
Here, Bro. Stuart excelled as a point guard on the basketball team. In 
1961-1962, he helped direct his team to their first league title in the 
Gulf South Conference (GSC). He was named 1963 All-GSC First Team and 
was inducted into the NLU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986.
  After graduating from NLU, Bro. Stuart continued sharing his love of 
basketball as a high school coach. In this capacity, he also worked as 
a math teacher and principal until he retired from the school system in 
1984. His talents on the sidelines matched his impressive skills on the 
court proven by the numerous accolades he earned for his coaching 
abilities. At his high school alma mater, he coached back-to-back Class 
B State Championship basketball teams in 1970 and 1971. Among his 
honors, Bro. Stuart was named Class B Coach of the Year for the State 
of Louisiana in 1970, inducted into the Louisiana Association of 
Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1989 and inducted into the Jackson 
Parish Sports Hall of Fame this year.
  Bro. Stuart commenced his career service to the Lord when he was 
ordained as a Baptist minister in October 1983. Following his 
ordination, he began as the pastor of Sweetwater Baptist Church where 
he has continued to serve the congregation for the past 27 years. 
Through the years, he has addressed numerous revivals, presided over 
many weddings and funerals and has been on two international mission 
trips.
  Beyond his professional career, Bro. Stuart has been married for 39 
years to Johnette Pardue Toms. They are the loving parents of Stuart 
``Stu'' Toms, Jr., Dr. Catherine Lucas and Mrs. Julie Nelson, and the 
proud grandparents of Ty and Kale Toms, Lily Lucas and Andrew Nelson.
  I have been fortunate to have attended his worship services for 
several years. This truly gracious man is a friend to many, and it is 
his connection and involvement in his community for which we should all 
strive to model. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Bro. 
Stuart Toms. His commitment, compassion and leadership warrant this 
laudable recognition.

                          ____________________