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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E131-E132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN HONOR OF BISHOP DR. AUDREY F. BRONSON
______
HON. JOE SESTAK
of pennsylvania
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Mr. SESTAK. Madam Speaker, the great Marian Anderson once said,
``Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of
those who would be affected by it.'' In recognition of her investiture
as the first woman President of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and
Vicinity, I would like to honor an extraordinary individual who
personifies the ``understanding leader'' Ms. Anderson described, Bishop
Dr. Audrey F. Bronson.
At the age of 14, this remarkable woman was called to begin her
vocation as a preacher. In 1975, she was inspired to establish the
Sanctuary Church of the Open Door serving the community of West
Philadelphia. In September 1978, the successful Sanctuary Christian
Academy was founded to produce students skilled in reading, writing,
mathematics, language arts and computer science. Other ministries at
the church include Sanctuary Bible Institute; Sanctuary Family Resource
Center and Referral Service; Sanctuary Christian Day Camp; Dunlap
Apartment Complex; and Sanctuary Outreach Ministries.
Bishop Bronson's spirituality, extraordinary intellect and selfless
nature reflect the nurturing of her loving and learned parents and
brother. Her father, Dr. Uriah Perry Bronson, was a minister and pastor
of churches and principal of several schools in Florida. Her mother and
step-mother were both teachers and church workers. Her brother, Dr.
Oswald P. Bronson, a United Methodist minister, was pastor of several
churches and President of the Interdenominational Theological Center in
Atlanta, Georgia. He recently retired as President, Bethune-Cookman
College, Daytona Beach, Florida and currently serves as President,
Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, Florida.
Dr. Bronson received her bachelor of science degree in elementary
education from
[[Page E132]]
Cheyney University; she also holds a master's degree in psychology from
Howard University where she also became a candidate for a Ph.D. in
psychology. She earned a doctor of ministry degree from New York
Theological Seminary. She holds two honorary degrees from Bethune-
Cookman College and a doctor of humane letters from the National
Theological Seminary and College. Upon completion of her studies, Dr.
Bronson returned to Cheyney in 1967 where she taught for 17 years as an
associate professor of psychology. Since retiring from that position to
devote her full energies to her growing church, she continues to be a
valued member of the Cheyney family.
Her many other appointments include: Dean of the Philadelphia Urban
Education Institute, a subsidiary of the African American
Interdenominational Ministries, Inc. (AAIM, Inc.) of Philadelphia in
association with the major seminaries of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Member of the Board of One Church, One Child, Inc., of Pennsylvania, a
statewide organization that encourages members of African-American
Churches to adopt African-American children. She was a member of the
Mayor of Philadelphia's Transition Team and currently serves on the
board of the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation and the
Executive Committee of the Association of Theological Schools.
Dr. Bronson's faith has led her to minister in prisons; serve as a
block captain; work to rid the community of drugs and violence; feed
the hungry; and keep her church doors open seven days a week. She is a
tireless agent of change ideally qualified to lead the Black Clergy of
Philadelphia and Vicinity to new heights as it strives to ``help the
downtrodden'' and those ``pushed aside.'' In many ways, Dr. Bronson has
been fulfilling this calling all her life. Early in the HIV/AIDS
crisis, when some churches were turning away those afflicted with the
disease, Dr. Bronson called on her fellow clergy members to accept
those stricken by this terrible disease and to offer education and
testing in their communities, a mission she plans on continuing in her
new post.
Madam Speaker, I ask that this House acknowledge Bishop Dr. Audrey F.
Bronson, as a testament to Marian Wright Edelman's observation that:
``education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your
community and world better than you found it.'' Bishop Bronson's life
of preaching, learning and teaching has made her a pillar of strength,
wisdom, and civic spirit. She has empowered countless African-American
families to live fuller, more purposeful lives through their faith in
God and one another. With her new responsibilities at the helm of one
of the premier spiritual collectives in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, her ability to guide, counsel and inspire across an
entire metropolitan region is very welcome news.
Particularly during these very difficult times, she is the perfect
``watchman on the wall.''
____________________