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[Page H3345]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING REV. DR. CHARLES E. BOOTH
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Cummings) for 5 minutes.
Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I know that Representative Joyce Beatty
would join me today in what I am about to say.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a great American and a distinguished man
of God, the Reverend Dr. Charles E. Booth. Dr. Booth transitioned from
this earthly plain on Saturday, March 23, 2019, after a valiant battle
with cancer.
Dr. Booth's life and mine moved along many of the same paths. Through
those shared experiences, we developed a deep personal bond.
He was born in my hometown of Baltimore, Maryland, on February 4,
1947, to Hazel Willis Booth and William W. Booth. He attended the same
high school as I did, Baltimore City College High School in Baltimore.
We also attended the same college, Howard University.
Dr. Booth went on to earn a master's of divinity degree from Eastern
Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He then earned a
doctorate of ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in
Dayton, Ohio.
As a testament to his commitment to Christian education, Dr. Booth
served as a member of the board of trustees of that institution from
2011 until his recent passing.
At the age of 23, Dr. Booth pastored his first church, St. Paul's
Baptist Church in West Chester, Pennsylvania. In 1978, he became pastor
of Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio, where he remained the
faithful leader for 41 years.
Dr. Booth proudly made Columbus his home, but he never forgot his
roots. He visited Baltimore often to preach at various churches and
spend time with family and friends. In fact, he preached revival
services each year in my own church, the New Psalmist Baptist Church,
where Dr. Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Sr., is the pastor. When I was
not in Washington, I was at church to listen to his prolific sermons.
As the son of two preachers, I understand the power of the preached
word, and Dr. Booth could deliver like none other. They often called
him a preaching machine. He had a commanding presence in the pulpit
with his towering stature and baritone voice. He studied the Bible
voraciously and had the uncanny ability to make Biblical text relevant
to the issues we face today in our daily lives. At a time when people
are turning away from traditional religion, Dr. Booth made Christianity
accessible and inspired people to deepen their faith.
Dr. Booth was a pastor's pastor. He traveled the world to preach the
gospel, and he was tremendously respected by his peers. He found joy in
mentoring young preachers and made time to listen to their concerns and
offer his counsel.
In 2011, Dr. Booth founded the Charles E. Booth Preaching Conference,
which focuses on the tenets of keeping passion in one's preaching,
Christ-centered preaching in contemporary life, building relationships
with preachers, strengthening the preacher's devotional life, and
remaining true to the sermonic ingredients of information and
inspiration.
Education was central to Dr. Booth's life. Not only was he
continually learning, but he also encouraged others to use education as
a key to open doors of opportunity. In 1994, he founded the Gloria S.
Friend Academy, a fully accredited elementary school at his church that
emphasized academic excellence and cultural enrichment centered on
African American history. Dr. Booth also authored several books focused
on Christian education.
A pillar in his community, Dr. Booth used his position as a faith
leader to be a strong voice for the voiceless. He worked tirelessly to
help create solutions to issues such as poverty, homelessness,
unemployment, and access to quality healthcare.
As I mourn the loss of my friend, I am comforted by the inspiring
legacy he leaves for all of us. In the New Testament book of Titus, the
Apostle Paul writes: ``Show yourself in all respects to be a model of
good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound
speech.''
Dr. Booth lived this creed. Through his example, he encouraged
everyone he encountered to do the same.
He leaves to mourn his wonderful wife, Crystal. He was a tremendous
blessing to his family, his church, his Nation, and, indeed, the world.
He will be sorely missed, but we give great thanks that God allowed
our lives to eclipse with his.
____________________
