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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E30-E31]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO REVEREND DOCTOR AZALEE C. BISHOP
______
HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN
of south carolina
in the house of representatives
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to
Rev. Dr. Azalee C. Bishop, a faithful Christian servant and a
trailblazing humanitarian. Dr. Bishop and I are of the same generation,
and I am honored to extend best wishes on the occasion of her 80th
birthday.
Dr. Bishop is an honors graduate of Gallman High School, Class of
1956. She went on to pursue her undergraduate degree at Johnson C.
Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina. Upon graduation, she
completed graduate studies at Cornell University, Caniusus College,
State University of New York in Buffalo, and Pentecostal Overcoming
Outreach School of Religion in Columbia, South Carolina. She spent
years as a dedicated wife and mother, and then earned her doctorate
degree at Spirit and Truth Seminary in Richmond, Virginia.
Her legacy is Grace Christian Church in Columbia, South Carolina,
which was established under the vision and leadership of Rev. Dr.
Bishop and her husband, Bishop Robert L. Bishop. The initial worship
service was held on May 12, 1982 with seventy-seven faithfuls in
attendance. The Bishops grew the congregation from its original
location in a small daycare facility and moved to a site at the
Columbia Housing Authority's Latimore Manor Housing Complex in 1984. It
continued to thrive, and seven years later moved to 627 Dixie Avenue in
Columbia. Grace Christian Church established its current home on
October 17, 1995 when it purchased property at 5010 Monticello Road.
Under the vision of Dr. Azalee C. Bishop, the church expanded its
mission and in 1998 launched the Grace Divinity College of Biblical
Studies. This divinity school is accredited both by the Accrediting
Commission International and International Biblical Association. She is
also the founder and producer of Morning Break with Jesus, a daily
devotional broadcast, that reached thousands of South Carolina
listeners.
Dr. Bishop has also sought to improve the quality of life in her
community by establishing Grandma's House, an afterschool program for
low-income, academically-challenged youth, and The Wisdom Center which
is dedicated to embracing wisdom and changing lives. In addition to her
work as a pastor and civic leader, Dr. Bishop spent 33-years as a
Program Administrator with the Department of Social Services.
Her many memberships and accomplishments include The Greater Columbia
Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (Board
[[Page E31]]
Member), The Black Adoption Project (Board Member), Christian Social
Relations Women's Missionary Society of South Carolina (Chairperson),
Empire State Baptist Educational Center (Instructor), National Baptist
Educational Association (Member), State PTA (Life Member) and the
NAACP.
Madam Speaker, I invite you and our colleagues to join me in
celebration of the life and contributions of this extraordinary woman.
Rev. Dr. Azalee C. Bishop is a true civic and spiritual leader. She has
left a lasting legacy that stands as a testament to her tremendous
life's work and an example for others to emulate.
____________________