[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 6324-6325]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING REVEREND JAMES C. HARRIS

                                  _____
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 15, 2011

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Reverend 
James C. Harris, a great man of God, for his 60 years of service as the 
pastor of Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia.
  James Calvin Harris was born in Lee County, Georgia, on April 7, 
1925, to the late Elijah and Viola Harris. He was the seventh of eight 
children and first became a member of St. Matthew Baptist Church of Lee 
County, Georgia under the late Rev. Allen A Green. Rev. Green licensed 
James Harris into the Christian ministry on July 9, 1939, and later 
ordained him on August 10, 1949.
  Rev. Harris served our country in the United States Navy during World 
War II, and married Miss Maggie Jefferson in 1944. He later attended 
Albany State College (now Albany State University), and finished his 
seminary work at the American Baptist Theological Seminary in 
Nashville, Tennessee.
  He first became a pastor at New Point Baptist Church in Arlington, 
Georgia, and preached at six other churches before finding his home at 
Mt. Pilgrim in 1951. Throughout his tenure, Mt. Pilgrim has become more 
involved in the community because of Rev Harris' belief that the church 
and its congregation have a responsibility to be there for those in the 
community who are less fortunate or downtrodden.
  In 1985, he received the Best Congress Award for excellence in 
execution of the Program of Christian Education Department from the 
National Baptist Convention's Sunday School Publishing Board--the 
highest award in the field of Christian Education. In 1991, he received 
the Sergeant Major Award for spiritual personnel at Fort Benning, GA, 
and in 2004, the National Baptist Convention again recognized him with 
the Service Award for his 50 years of service as a pastor to the same 
church.

[[Page 6325]]

  There is a reason Reverend Harris is known as the ``sharing 
minister.'' Because of his dedication to serving the community, Mt. 
Pilgrim is known as the caring and sharing church. He has always been 
available to mentor young ministers trying to find their way, providing 
guidance and direction whenever needed.
  Under Rev. Harris' leadership, the outreach ministries he created 
have helped establish a Baptist Church in Camp Long, Korea, a jailhouse 
ministry at the Muscogee County Jail in Columbus, and several Christian 
education programs. By reaching out to those in need and comforting 
those who are suffering, the church has become a source of spiritual 
support for people all across the world.
  Rev. Harris has been a friend, advisor, counselor and supporter from 
the time I first met him in 1972. My wife and I truly cherish his 
friendship and support.
  On the occasion of his 60th anniversary as pastor of Mt. Pilgrim 
Baptist Church, it is a privilege to recognize Reverend Harris for his 
decades of service to the Columbus community and to God. His unwavering 
commitment to the ministry and the Columbus community should be 
celebrated, and I hope that he continues to sing ``He's a Battle Ax'' 
and spread the word of God for years to come. To God Be The Glory!

                          ____________________