[Page H3371]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 WELCOMING REVEREND DR. LINDSAY CURTIS

  The SPEAKER. Without objection, Mr. Himes of Connecticut was 
recognized for 1 minute.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HIMES. Mr. Speaker, on this consequential day, when this body is 
likely to make law and debate critical things, it has already been a 
good and blessed day because our day was opened with a prayer by 
Reverend Dr. Lindsay Curtis.
  Dr. Curtis is well into his second decade leading as senior pastor at 
Grace Baptist Church, a 129-year-old faith community in the center of 
my district, Norwalk, Connecticut.
  The church has thrived under Pastor Curtis' leadership, and I admire 
him as a friend, as a mentor, and as a spiritual guide not just for his 
understanding of the Scripture, but for his deep commitment to 
ministry.
  Dr. Curtis, over the course of his career, has served as president of 
the Connecticut State Missionary Baptist Convention. He has served as 
chairman of the Advisory Board of Directors of Norwalk ACTS, which is a 
partnership of civic leaders. He has acted as the president of the 
Norwalk NAACP, commissioner of the Judicial Selection Commission, and 
when he sees a problem, he uses ministry to solve it.
  Just this summer, out of nowhere, he conjured up a summer camp for 
150 children in Norwalk, Connecticut, who might not otherwise have a 
way to constructively spend their days.
  I have always loved the quote attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. 
That quote is familiar to so many of you: Always preach the Gospel. 
Sometimes use words.
  Lindsay Curtis embodies that idea in his ministry, and his superb 
record is blemished perhaps only by my suspicion--and it is a 
suspicion--that he thinks that somehow the Chicago Bulls fit into the 
Trinity, but above all else, our God is a forgiving God, so I am sure 
that that will not be a problem.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Dr. Curtis so much for opening us up today.

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