HONORING LITTLE UNION BAPTIST CHURCH

On 2026-10-09, Representative Cleo Fields (D-LA-6) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING LITTLE UNION BAPTIST CHURCH" in the House.

HONORING LITTLE UNION BAPTIST CHURCH

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 159 (Friday, October 9, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 159 (Friday, October 9, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1055-E1056] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING LITTLE UNION BAPTIST CHURCH ______ HON. CLEO FIELDS of louisiana in the house of representatives Friday, October 9, 2026 Mr. FIELDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Little Union Baptist Church of Shreveport, Louisiana, which was established in 1892 with an original congregation of sixteen faithful members. For more than 130 years, the church has served as a cornerstone of faith, spiritual growth, community service, and social justice. Throughout its history, Little Union has strengthened the African American community of Shreveport and has given generations of families in Northwest Louisiana a place of worship, fellowship, leadership, and empowerment. The church holds a particularly important place in the history of the Civil Rights Movement. Under the leadership of Reverend Claude Clifford McLain, who served as pastor for 32 years, Little Union became a prominent gathering place for civil rights advocacy and community organizing. The church hosted mass meetings for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Congress of Racial Equality, supported voter registration initiatives, and provided a meeting place for individuals working to advance racial equality and voting rights. Little Union also served as a headquarters for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and welcomed prominent civil rights leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In an era when Black citizens were too often denied the ballot and equal treatment under the law, the church opened its doors to those who were organizing, planning, and standing up for justice. These contributions established Little Union Baptist Church as an important institution in the struggle for justice and equal opportunity throughout the region. The church's legacy also includes connections to influential individuals in American civil rights history. The father of renowned attorney Johnnie Cochran, Jr. served as a deacon at Little Union Baptist Church, further reflecting the congregation's longstanding ties to leadership, advocacy, and public service. In recognition of its contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, Little Union Baptist Church has been designated as a site on the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail, preserving its historical significance for future generations. Today, Little Union Baptist Church continues its mission of faith, service, and community engagement under the leadership of Pastor C.E. McLain. The congregation remains committed to Christian education, youth development, spiritual enrichment, and outreach initiatives that support individuals and families throughout the Shreveport community. The church is also undertaking efforts to restore and preserve its historic sanctuary, ensuring that its architectural heritage and its contributions to civil rights history remain protected. As one of Shreveport's historic African American congregations, Little Union Baptist Church continues to honor its rich legacy while serving as a place of hope, unity, and spiritual guidance for future generations. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Little Union Baptist Church and its congregation for more than 130 years of faith, service, and the pursuit of justice. May Little Union continue to inspire and serve the people of Shreveport for generations to come. [[Page E1056]] ____________________