[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14500]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF PASTOR CHARLES J. BRISCOE

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                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 19, 2012

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise today in recognition of the 
achievements of Pastor Emeritus Charles J. Briscoe, a graduate of 
Western Bible College, a studious teacher of the Holy Bible, and a 
member of the Fifth District of Missouri, which I am deeply honored to 
represent. Pastor Briscoe is a native of Kansas City. He attended 
elementary school and graduated from the R.T. Coles Vocational High 
School with music as his major.
  Pastor Briscoe was honored by the National Center for Fathering with 
the 2004 ``City Father'' award. Offered to recipients who demonstrate 
community and family leadership and influence, the award was a fitting 
testament to the father of nine children and a man who has served 
Kansas City in various capacities for over 50 years.
  Rev. Briscoe, a native Kansas Citian, has been involved with 
community services most of his life, including Goodwill Industries, the 
Neighborhood Alliance, and the Young Men's Christian Association 
(YMCA). From 1970 to 1974, he worked as President and then Chairman on 
the Kansas City, Missouri School Board. ``This was shortly after Martin 
Luther King was assassinated'' he says of the experience, ``and so 
there was a lot of turmoil here in Kansas City.'' He remembers letting 
students vent their frustrations, rather than ``giving it back to them. 
It helped diffuse some of the volatile situations.''
  Retired since February, 2003, Rev. Briscoe was senior pastor of the 
historic Paseo Baptist Church for 35 years. He has made mission trips 
with the church all over the world, including Africa, Israel, and 
Jamaica. While on a work and witness trip in South Africa, he, his wife 
Georgia Mae, and six other Paseo Baptist members helped start up their 
sister church in Johannesburg and conducted Vacation Bible School for 
the youths.
  Pastor Briscoe, although retired, remains a much respected and 
admired religious leader. He continues his involvement with Paseo 
Baptist Church and serves on the Board of Directors of Salvation Army 
and as Secretary for the Carver Foreign Missions Board. He has served 
as a Co-Chair of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association's Heart of 
America Campaign.
  Rev. Briscoe has been committed, throughout his ministry with 
building strong families with the church and the community. One of his 
greatest joys is building bridges of understanding between various 
peoples and helping families become wholesome influences to this 
community. He is considered Kansas City's supreme pastor and for that 
and numerous other roles of service, he is now inducted into the 
Missouri Walk of Fame.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in expressing our appreciation to Pastor 
Charles Briscoe and his endless commitment to serving the residents of 
the State of Missouri and the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area. He 
is a true role model, not just to the African-American community in 
Missouri, but to the entire community and the nation. May his success 
serve as a stepping stone for many other African-Americans eager to be 
just as successful in their endeavors. While it is but a small 
acknowledgement for all of the work he has done, this recognition is a 
heartfelt gesture, taking strength from the many lives he has touched 
in our hometown.

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