Honoring and commemorating United Baptist Church's 100 years of historic contributions to the Akron and surrounding communities.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1638 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1638

    Honoring and commemorating United Baptist Church's 100 years of 
    historic contributions to the Akron and surrounding communities.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 22, 2026

 Mrs. Sykes submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
            the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
    Honoring and commemorating United Baptist Church's 100 years of 
    historic contributions to the Akron and surrounding communities.

Whereas, on October 25, 2026, the United Baptist Church will celebrate 100 years 
        of service and operation;
Whereas United Baptist Church, located at 1007 S. Hawkins Avenue, Akron, Ohio, 
        44320, has been ``Saving Souls and Salvaging Lives'' for 100 years in 
        Akron and the surrounding communities;
Whereas, in September 1926, two small churches named Gladstone Baptist and 
        Springfield Baptist combined their memberships to form a new church 
        body;
Whereas, in October 1926, a committee consisting of Mary Matthews, Evelyn 
        Spencer, and Jessie Clark gathered to develop a name for the newly 
        organized church and suggested Shadygrove, Mariah, and United;
Whereas Evelyn Spencer suggested ``United'' for the combining of two churches;
Whereas the name United was chosen with Reverend R.S. Tatum as the church's 
        first pastor;
Whereas, in late 1935, Reverend Tatum resigned after almost 10 years of service 
        to the church;
Whereas, beginning on August 21, 1935, the Reverend W.S. McGhahee served as 
        United's pastor;
Whereas, beginning on July 27, 1938, the Reverend J.H. Hall served as United's 
        pastor and did so until his death on September 19, 1964;
Whereas, beginning in March 1935, the Reverend Billy Robinson served as United's 
        pastor and presented numerous cultural awareness programs to the 
        membership of United by celebrations, a Bible study course that featured 
        Blacks in the Bible and many other programs until his resignation on 
        February 22, 1981;
Whereas, from 1973 to 1975, United Baptist Church served as a food stamp center;
Whereas, during the years of 1981 and part of 1982, United went through some 
        trying times, but with much prayer, biblical study, and Christ as their 
        leader, God saw them through and on April 4, 1982, Reverend Roderick C. 
        Pounds, Sr., preached his first sermon as Pastor;
Whereas, in 1993, Reverend Pounds resigned and on July 6, 1993, Kenneth W. 
        Paramore was called pastor of United Baptist Church where under his 
        leadership United experienced growth in every aspect of the ministry;
Whereas, in January 2000, the Gus Johnson Community Center was completed and 
        opened, allowing United to own and operate its own nonprofit community 
        development corporation while operating a full-service early childhood 
        development and infant center (Kidz Kollege and Bright Beginnings) and 
        an adult day service program (Nu Horizons), and establishing a Christian 
        primary school called the Royal Christian Academy;
Whereas, on December 31, 2008, Reverend Paramore resigned as the pastor of 
        United Baptist Church;
Whereas, on June 3, 2010, Reverend Kevin G. Rushing was called as pastor 
        following the leadership of Deacon Wise More, Jr.;
Whereas, under Reverend Rushing's leadership, United turned their motto of, 
        ``Saving Souls and Salvaging Lives'', into its mission, taking the 
        church outside of its four walls and into the community;
Whereas the expansion of the Christian Education Department has allowed United 
        to offer Sunday school courses to meet the needs of various age groups 
        by offering relevant curriculum designed specifically for them;
Whereas the Outreach Ministry has expanded to provide more than 150 families 
        each year with gift cards to purchase Thanksgiving dinner;
Whereas United's adoption of and involvement in community schools Schumacher 
        Community Learning Center and Buchtel Community Learning Center showcase 
        the ministry's involvement in the community;
Whereas United began annual health initiatives that include the West Akron 5k 
        Walk/Run and Minority Health Fair;
Whereas the United Baptist Church Scholarship Ministry has awarded over $40,000 
        in scholarships to high school and college students;
Whereas the Gus Johnson Tutoring Program has assisted hundreds of K-12 students 
        across all subject areas, including ACT preparation; and
Whereas the Ready 2 Work program was developed to equip teens with the tools 
        necessary for workforce readiness, college preparation, and military 
        pathways: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) honors and commemorates United Baptist Church's 100 
        years of historic contributions to the Akron and surrounding 
        communities;
            (2) recognizes the church's longstanding history of 
        engaging in civil justice, economic development, and faith-
        based community building; and
            (3) encourages the United Baptist Church to continue their 
        work supporting Akronites and surrounding communities for 
        another 100 years.
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