[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1576]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING REV. JAMES ANTHONY NOEL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 9, 2016

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of 
an outstanding member of the Bay Area community, Reverend James Anthony 
Noel. With his passing on Sunday, January 31st, 2016 at the age of 68, 
we honor his many years of faithful service.
  Born on New Year's Day in 1948, in Queens, New York, Reverend Noel 
moved to Berkeley, California when he was a young child. He would go on 
to earn his B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1969, 
as well as a Master of Divinity degree from San Francisco Theological 
Seminary (SFTS) in 1975, and his Ph.D. from the Graduate Theological 
Union (GTU) in 1999.
  Reverend Noel joined the SFTS faculty in 1988, where he was the H. 
Eugene Farlough, Jr. Chair of African-American Christianity, as well as 
a professor of American Religion. He also served as a member of the 
Core Doctoral Faculty at the GTU, and was the convener of the Black 
Church/Africana Studies Certificate Program. Reverend Noel received a 
distinguished professor award from his colleagues at GTU, for his 
embodiment of scholarly standards, teaching excellence, and commitment 
to ecumenism.
  From 1976 to 1987, Reverend Noel served as the pastor of St. Andrew 
Presbyterian Church in Marin City, CA. Following that, until his 
passing, he was the pastor of New Liberation Presbyterian Church in San 
Francisco. He also served as interim pastor of Sojourner Truth 
Presbyterian Church in Richmond, CA.
  Considered by many a true renaissance man, Reverend Noel was a gifted 
painter, with his vibrant artwork on display throughout the Bay Area. 
Reverend Noel was also a 7th Dan Tae Kwon Do Master, having studied the 
Korean martial art since he was a teenager. He would also often break 
into song with his rich bass voice during lectures or sermons.
  Reverend Noel is survived by his beautiful wife, Dianna, and his 
children Michelle, Kaiya, Daniel and Amada. He will be forever 
remembered for his love, legacy, and the impact he had on the hearts 
and minds of those whom he touched.
  On a personal note, Reverend Noel was a prophetic and prolific 
preacher. He was a great leader who demonstrated what it means to live 
a life in service to humankind and to God. We will miss this 
magnificent man of God who taught us what a spirit filled life means.
  Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes the life of 
an exemplary individual and devoted community member, Reverend James 
Anthony Noel. I join all of Reverend Noel's loved ones in celebrating 
his inspirational life and achievements, and offer my sincerest 
condolences.

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