[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 956]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING BISHOP GORDON ARLESTER HUMPHREY, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 21, 2015

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of 
Bishop Gordon Arlester Humphrey, Jr. Bishop Humphrey was a beloved 
pastor, husband, father, and friend. With his passing on Sunday, 
December 14, we look to Bishop Humphrey's personal legacy of 
leadership, service, and the outstanding quality of his life's work.
  Born to Gordon Humphrey, Sr. and Helen Humphrey, in Ohio, Bishop 
Humphrey was educated in the public schools of Chicago and graduated 
from Hirsch High School. He went on to attend Morehouse College in 
Atlanta, and then went on to follow in his father's footsteps, entering 
the ministry with his wife, First Lady Diane and their two children, 
Gordon III and Cha'Rena.
  Bishop Humphrey was noted for establishing ``Sunday Night Live,'' a 
service where all are welcome to attend without any condemnation or 
judgment, aimed at those who otherwise may not have attended a church 
service. This model proved so successful that it was replicated across 
the nation. He was also a powerful singer and a talented musician, 
using his gifts to minister through music and song. He was the 
executive producer of an acclaimed album entitled, ``Olivet Oakland, 
Sunday Night Live! You're in the Right Place at the Right Time.'' The 
album was nationally and internationally recognized for its 
inspirational message.
  After the passing of his father, Bishop Humphrey moved to Chicago, 
away from his 30-year ministry at Olivet Institutional Missionary 
Baptist Church in Oakland. Upon his return to Chicago, Bishop Humphrey 
assumed the position of senior pastor at Shiloh Missionary Baptist 
Church, the church his father once led for more than 40 years.
  Eventually, Bishop Humphrey would become the Senior Pastor at three 
churches: Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, Olivet 
Institutional Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland, and Olivet's sister 
church of the same name in Stockton, California.
  Bishop Humphrey was known as a bridge-builder, and he opened the 
doors of Olivet to the community for the Oscar Grant Forums, which took 
place weekly for more than three years. He was noted for his prolific 
urban message and was in great demand as an evangelist, preaching the 
Gospel across the nation. For years, he was known to walk the streets 
and meet with drug addicts and gang members, and was able to bring them 
together and begin the healing process.
  Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes and honors an 
outstanding individual, Bishop Gordon Arlester Humphrey, Jr. His 
dedication and efforts have impacted so many lives throughout the state 
of California and the nation. I join all of Bishop Humphrey's loved 
ones in celebrating his incredible life. He will be deeply missed, but 
his life, legacy, and spirit will live in our hearts and our community 
forever.

                          ____________________