[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8890]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     IN CELEBRATION OF THE RETIREMENT OF REVEREND JOHN H. RICE, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DEBORAH L. HALVORSON

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2010

  Mrs. HALVORSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
retirement of the Reverend John H. Rice, Sr. upon the fortieth 
anniversary of beginning his tenure at St. Bethel Missionary Baptist 
Church in Chicago Heights, Illinois.
  Born in Starkville, Mississippi, Reverend Rice moved to Chicago 
Heights, Illinois at the age of four. There he spent his childhood, 
graduating from Bloom Township High School. After receiving his 
Associate's Degree in Masonry from Los Angeles City College, he 
returned to the area in 1959 and married Movita Tate, a classmate from 
Bloom Township High School. He continued his education, graduating from 
the Moody Bible Institute's evening school in 1967 and receiving his 
Bachelor's Degree in Interpersonal Communications from Governors State 
University in 1982.
  As pastor at St. Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Reverend Rice 
tended to a congregation of 600 families. He spent his 40 years serving 
the local community, caring for the poor and the homeless. In 1986, he 
opened the Bethel Community Facility, which became known as the 
``Miracle on Portland Street'' for the year-round services it provides 
to the homeless. The Facility provides not only food, clothing and 
shelter for the homeless, but also a doctor's office and several job 
training programs. In 1990, he opened the Bethel Annex, which provided 
a ``rent-a-church'' space for small congregations to worship and now 
serves as a warming and cooling center for the homeless.
  Reverend Rice retires next month after a fulfilling, impressive, and 
inspirational career. He is truly an asset to Chicago Heights and the 
Southland area. It is with great pride that I celebrate the career of 
Reverend John H. Rice, Sr. May his retirement be as fruitful and joyous 
as his ministry has been.

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