[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 10629-10630]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING EMANUEL AME

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 25, 2015

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, last week, nine 
extraordinary men and women were killed at the Wednesday night Bible 
study at historic Mother Emanuel AME Church in my birthplace of 
Charleston. I am grateful for their memories.
  Reverend Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Cynthia Hurd, Tywanza Sanders, 
Susie Jackson, Myra Thompson, Ethel Lee Lance, Reverend Daniel Simmons, 
Reverend Depayne Middleton-Doctor, along with Pastor Clementa Pinckney 
were all leaders of our community and in their church. One served the 
youth as

[[Page 10630]]

a high school track coach, one a lifelong librarian, one a recent 
college graduate with a bright future ahead of him. Many served their 
church. Each had a clear love of God and love for their fellow man as 
followers of Jesus Christ.
  The loss of Reverend Senator Clementa Pinckney has been personal, as 
he was a fellow State legislator. I was honored to host the senator, 
his wife, Jennifer, and their daughters, Eliana and Malana, when they 
visited the Capitol a few years ago. He grew up in Ridgeland as a 
lifelong friend of my former chief of staff Eric Dell.
  A hate-filled, drug-crazed murderer tried to divide our citizens, but 
he failed, and South Carolinians have unified in love, prayer, and 
respect.

                          ____________________