IN RECOGNITION OF REVEREND GOZIE E. PENSON
April 1, 2020
Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my
sincerest congratulations and birthday wishes to a dedicated man of God
and community servant, Reverend Gozie E. Penson, who is celebrating his
100th birthday at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 26, 2018 at the Holiday Inn
located at 197 East Broad Street in Athens, Georgia.
sincerest congratulations and birthday wishes to a dedicated man of God
and community servant, Reverend Gozie E. Penson, who is celebrating his
100th birthday at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 26, 2018 at the Holiday Inn
located at 197 East Broad Street in Athens, Georgia.
Reverend Gozie E. Penson was born on May 31, 1918 in Fayette County,
Georgia. He is a product of the Peach County School System and a member
of Henry Hunt High School's graduating class. After graduating from
high school, he attended Morehouse College and earned a Bachelor's of
Divinity degree from Howard University's School of Religion.
Georgia. He is a product of the Peach County School System and a member
of Henry Hunt High School's graduating class. After graduating from
high school, he attended Morehouse College and earned a Bachelor's of
Divinity degree from Howard University's School of Religion.
Rev. Penson received a calling to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ
to migrants in Pocomoke City, Maryland and Belle Glade, Florida through
the National Council of Churches. He later served with the Presbyterian
Church in Tuskegee and Montgomery, Alabama as well as the Urban League
in Washington, D.C.
to migrants in Pocomoke City, Maryland and Belle Glade, Florida through
the National Council of Churches. He later served with the Presbyterian
Church in Tuskegee and Montgomery, Alabama as well as the Urban League
in Washington, D.C.
Throughout his life, Rev. Penson was an active member of several
civic organizations where he poured his time and energy including
Tuskegee's Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Committee for Good
Government, Oenology Club, and the Tuskegee Civic Association.
civic organizations where he poured his time and energy including
Tuskegee's Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Committee for Good
Government, Oenology Club, and the Tuskegee Civic Association.
Acts 20:35 says, ``I have shown you in every way, by laboring like
this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the
Lord Jesus, that He said, `It is more blessed to give than to receive
.' '' Truly, Reverend Penson has abided by this scripture,
understanding his calling and purpose to serve God's people and his
community.
this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the
Lord Jesus, that He said, `It is more blessed to give than to receive
.' '' Truly, Reverend Penson has abided by this scripture,
understanding his calling and purpose to serve God's people and his
community.
Reverend Penson has accomplished many things in his life, but none of
these would have been possible without the grace of God and the love
and support of his late wife, Claudine, and their children, Merryll,
Elvin, and Nari.
these would have been possible without the grace of God and the love
and support of his late wife, Claudine, and their children, Merryll,
Elvin, and Nari.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife, Vivian, and the
more than 730,000 residents of Georgia's Second Congressional District,
in recognizing Reverend Gozie E. Penson for his selfless service to
God, his church, and humankind. We extend our best wishes to him as he,
his family, and friends celebrate his 100th birthday.
more than 730,000 residents of Georgia's Second Congressional District,
in recognizing Reverend Gozie E. Penson for his selfless service to
God, his church, and humankind. We extend our best wishes to him as he,
his family, and friends celebrate his 100th birthday.