[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 14]
[House]
[Page 19800]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TALLAHASSEE'S BETHEL AME CHURCH

  (Ms. GRAHAM asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. GRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Tallahassee's 
Bethel AME Church on their 150th anniversary.
  Bethel was founded in 1865 when a group of courageous Christians 
walked out of their segregated church. They were led by the Reverend 
Robert Meacham, a former slave preacher. Since that day, church 
membership has grown from 116 people in 1865 to more than 1,700 
worshippers today; and under the leadership of my friend and neighbor, 
Reverend Dr. Julius H. McAllister, Jr., the church continues to benefit 
our community and serve as an inspiration to everyone in north Florida.
  I congratulate Bethel AME on a blessed 150 years, and I look forward 
to personally attending many more services as they continue to grow and 
thrive.

                          ____________________