In Honor of Reverend Roosevelt Carter, I

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding Man of God, a devoted spiritual leader, and dear friend of longstanding, Reverend Roosevelt Carter, I, who retired from his role as Senior Pastor of First Monumental Faith Ministries in Albany, Georgia after over three decades of selfless service and was honored on Saturday, November 9, 2019, at 5:00 pm.

In 1984, Reverend Carter answered the call to preach the word of God and founded First Monumental Faith Ministries alongside his wife, First Lady, and Co-Pastor, LaVerne Shinault Carter. For the past 35 years, Rev. Carter has been the shepherd at First Monumental where he has ministered to the needs of his flockchristening babies, baptizing believers, performing marriages, and consoling bereaved families while developing and honing his skills as a church administrator and inspiring spiritual leader. Under The Carters' dynamic and spirit- filled leadership, First Monumental Faith Ministries has experienced tremendous growth. But most importantly, under their leadership, First Monumental has been a beacon of hope and salvation for the congregation through its many ministries that share the good news of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Outside of the church, Reverend Carter has also proved himself a true servant of the community in which he lives. His drive led him to organize First Monumental Community Outreach, Inc. (FMCO) to help provide services to those in need. By utilizing its access to government grants, FMCO opened ``Job's Place'', the first assistance program for persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in the Dougherty County area. Reverend Carter and FMCO also joined forces with the City of Albany & the Dougherty County Coalition to help end homelessness by leading the charge to acquire government funding from the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to support and transition over 15 families to self-sustainable living. Furthermore, Reverend Carter also extended the reach of First Monumental Faith Ministries through the Monumental Development Center and the Fluff-n-Fold Laundromat to aid in job creation for residents in the community.

Reverend Carter has achieved much in his life, but none of it would have been possible without the Grace of God and the love and the support of his loving wife, LaVerne, and his children, Roosevelt, Jr., Roderald, Lorenzo, and Renorta.

On a personal note, I have been blessed by Reverend Carter's sage counsel and enduring friendship over the time that I have known him. He has always encouraged and supported me during my career in Congress and, I am proud to call him my friend.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife, Vivian, and me, along with the 730,000 residents of Georgia's Second Congressional District, in extending our sincerest congratulations and best wishes to Reverend Roosevelt Carter, I on the occasion of his retirement and in congratulating him for 35 outstanding years of leadership at First Monumental Faith Ministries, and for a lifetime of selfless service to God, the church, and to humankind.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source