Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-01-30

IN MEMORY OF BISHOP DR. FREDERICK WILLIAMS, SR.

TaxesCrime & JusticeInfrastructure

Context

On 2026-01-30, Representative Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA-2) delivered a floor speech titled "IN MEMORY OF BISHOP DR. FREDERICK WILLIAMS, SR." in the House. The speech addressed taxes and also covered crime and justice, infrastructure.

Full Text

IN MEMORY OF BISHOP DR. FREDERICK WILLIAMS, SR.

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 22 (Friday, January 30, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 22 (Friday, January 30, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E83-E84] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] IN MEMORY OF BISHOP DR. FREDERICK WILLIAMS, SR. ______ HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR. of georgia in the house of representatives Friday, January 30, 2026 Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with profound sorrow and deep thanksgiving to honor the life and legacy of Bishop Dr. Frederick Williams, Sr.--a faithful servant of God, an apostolic visionary, a devoted husband and father, and a tireless advocate for justice, healing, and transformation. His transition from labor to reward marks the close of a life lived in humble service and bold leadership, and his memory will continue to inspire generations to come. A funeral service to celebrate his remarkable life will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at The Gethsemane Worship Center International in Albany, Georgia. Bishop Williams was born in Dougherty County, Albany, Georgia, to the late Roosevelt Williams and Evangelist Katie Mae Anderson. The youngest of seven children--Johnny Bell, Patricia, Gloria Jean, Roosevelt, Jr., Larry, and Barbara--he was reared in a home firmly rooted in faith, discipline, and service. Those foundational values shaped a life that bore fruit in ministry, civic engagement, and community building. At an early age, Bishop Williams accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church under Pastor R.B. Smith. Under the pastoral leadership of Reverend George Daniels, he exercised his gifts faithfully--serving as church clerk, armor-bearer, organizer of the first Pastor's Aide Board, leader in the music ministry, and deacon board member--early signs of a servant's heart and a shepherd's calling. He [[Page E84]] formed The Voices of Tabernacle and served as minister of music for churches across southwest Georgia, gathering and guiding people in worship. In 1991 Bishop Williams answered a divine call to preach the gospel. He pursued nonprofit and leadership training at Clark Atlanta University and, in 1992, launched Gethsemane Worship Center International in Albany from a small building on Baldwin Street leased by then-Mayor Paul Keenan. With only nine members, that congregation grew into a thriving interdenominational ministry impacting lives locally and globally. He also served as Pastor of New Zion Hill Baptist Church and later organized Divine Covenant International Fellowship, providing apostolic covering and mentoring more than 100 ministers, preachers, and leaders--many in Liberia--under his apostolic anointing. Bishop Williams was united in holy matrimony on May 7, 1988, to Felicia Jones, and together they raised a loving family: Victoria, Vanessa, Frederick, Jr., Fredesha, Lawanna, Natasha, and Nazarelle-- children who were a constant source of joy and pride. A lifelong learner, Bishop Williams was a proud graduate of Dougherty Comprehensive High School (Class of 1980) and Albany Technical College. His studies continued at Georgetown College, Regents Park College at the University of Oxford, The Interdenominational Theological Center of Morehouse College, and culminated with a Doctorate in Theology from North Carolina University Wilmington, where he was recognized as a distinguished member of the President's Club. Before full-time ministry, Bishop Williams worked at McGregor Golf for eleven years and later served the community as a bus driver for the Dougherty County School System and as a dispatcher with the Albany- Dougherty 911 Communication Center. An entrepreneur, he owned The Gentlemen Shop, G & W His & Hers Accessories, and the Albany Christian Book & Gift Store. His ministry and mission were global in scope--Bishop Williams traveled extensively to Haiti, Africa, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Belize, Jamaica, Honduras, Mexico, and beyond, and he established two ministries in Liberia. He served as Bishop Ordinary for the Diocese of St. James the Just in Florida, was consecrated to the office of the bishopric in 2016, served as State Bishop of Georgia, and in 2025 joined Lifted Reformation as State Bishop of Georgia. Bishop Williams' public service and civic leadership were exemplary. He founded and led Stop the Violence initiatives, co-chaired Albany- Dougherty Community-Oriented Policing, served on the Easter Seals Southern District Board, and led civic and ministerial coalitions that bridged faith, law enforcement, education, and the legal community in pursuit of collective healing and progress. At the time of his passing, he faithfully served as Chairman of the Board of the Albany-Dougherty County Board of Elections. His life of service earned numerous honors: the NAACP Religious Award; Outstanding Georgia Citizen Award presented by then-Secretary of State Cathy Cox; Excellence in Community Award from the NAACP; the Trailblazer Award from 100 Black Men of Albany; Citizen of the Year from Omega Psi Phi--Eta Omicron Chapter; the Liberty Bell Award from the Dougherty County Bar Association; a Certificate of Special Congressional Record from yours truly for his leadership in Stop the Violence initiatives; eight Mayoral Proclamations; Albany's STRIDE Award; and many additional commendations recognizing his humanitarian and civic contributions. Bishop Williams was also an author and creative minister--writing Order in the House and The Church Under Siege, producing the gospel recording Zion Is Calling, and hosting the podcast Plug In With Bishop--platforms through which he taught, encouraged, and lifted up his community during seasons of trial and renewal. In 2009, following the tragic loss of his sister, Bishop Williams convened leaders at Albany State University and asked, ``What can we do?'' Out of that conversation grew a sustained, collaborative response to violence and community pain--an enduring testament to his capacity to turn grief into constructive action. Mr. Speaker, Bishop Dr. Frederick Williams, Sr., was a man who married conviction with compassion, preaching comfort while organizing for justice. He answered calls to both prayer and practice, building institutions, mentoring leaders, and offering pastoral care to countless families. He bore witness to a faith that moved beyond sanctuary walls into streets, schools, and global mission fields. I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian, and the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring Bishop Dr. Frederick Williams, Sr.--a pastor, a prophet, a builder, and a beloved servant whose life of faith, intellect, and action made our communities stronger and kinder. We mourn his passing, we celebrate his harvest, and we pledge to carry forward his work of healing, justice, and spiritual formation. May his memory be for a blessing. May his family find comfort in the countless lives he touched. And may his legacy continue to light the way for leaders who follow in the Holy work of service. ____________________

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IN MEMORY OF BISHOP DR. FREDERICK WILLIAMS, SR. Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 22 (Friday, January 30, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 22 (Friday, January 30, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E83-E84] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] IN MEMORY OF BISHOP DR. FREDERICK WILLIAMS, SR. ______ HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR. of georgia in the house of representatives Friday, January 30, 2026 Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with profound sorrow and deep thanksgiving to honor the life and legacy of Bishop Dr. Frederick Williams, Sr.--a faithful servant of God, an apostolic visionary, a devoted husband and father, and a tireless advocate for justice, healing, and transformation. His transition from labor to reward marks the close of a life lived in humble service and bold leadership, and his memory will continue to inspire generations to come. A funeral service to celebrate his remarkable life will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at The Gethsemane Worship Center International in Albany, Georgia. Bishop Williams was born in Dougherty County, Albany, Georgia, to the late Roosevelt Williams and Evangelist Katie Mae Anderson. The youngest of seven children--Johnny Bell, Patricia, Gloria Jean, Roosevelt, Jr., Larry, and Barbara--he was reared in a home firmly rooted in faith, discipline, and service. Those foundational values shaped a life that bore fruit in ministry, civic engagement, and community building. At an early age, Bishop Williams accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church under Pastor R.B. Smith. Under the pastoral leadership of Reverend George Daniels, he exercised his gifts faithfully--serving as church clerk, armor-bearer, organizer of the first Pastor's Aide Board, leader in the music ministry, and deacon board member--early signs of a servant's heart and a shepherd's calling. He [[Page E84]] formed The Voices of Tabernacle and served as minister of music for churches across southwest Georgia, gathering and guiding people in worship. In 1991 Bishop Williams answered a divine call to preach the gospel. He pursued nonprofit and leadership training at Clark Atlanta University and, in 1992, launched Gethsemane Worship Center International in Albany from a small building on Baldwin Street leased by then-Mayor Paul Keenan. With only nine members, that congregation grew into a thriving interdenominational ministry impacting lives locally and globally. He also served as Pastor of New Zion Hill Baptist Church and later organized Divine Covenant International Fellowship, providing apostolic covering and mentoring more than 100 ministers, preachers, and leaders--many in Liberia--under his apostolic anointing. Bishop Williams was united in holy matrimony on May 7, 1988, to Felicia Jones, and together they raised a loving family: Victoria, Vanessa, Frederick, Jr., Fredesha, Lawanna, Natasha, and Nazarelle-- children who were a constant source of joy and pride. A lifelong learner, Bishop Williams was a proud graduate of Dougherty Comprehensive High School (Class of 1980) and Albany Technical College. His studies continued at Georgetown College, Regents Park College at the University of Oxford, The Interdenominational Theological Center of Morehouse College, and culminated with a Doctorate in Theology from North Carolina University Wilmington, where he was recognized as a distinguished member of the President's Club. Before full-time ministry, Bishop Williams worked at McGregor Golf for eleven years and later served the community as a bus driver for the Dougherty County School System and as a dispatcher with the Albany- Dougherty 911 Communication Center. An entrepreneur, he owned The Gentlemen Shop, G & W His & Hers Accessories, and the Albany Christian Book & Gift Store. His ministry and mission were global in scope--Bishop Williams traveled extensively to Haiti, Africa, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Belize, Jamaica, Honduras, Mexico, and beyond, and he established two ministries in Liberia. He served as Bishop Ordinary for the Diocese of St. James the Just in Florida, was consecrated to the office of the bishopric in 2016, served as State Bishop of Georgia, and in 2025 joined Lifted Reformation as State Bishop of Georgia. Bishop Williams' public service and civic leadership were exemplary. He founded and led Stop the Violence initiatives, co-chaired Albany- Dougherty Community-Oriented Policing, served on the Easter Seals Southern District Board, and led civic and ministerial coalitions that bridged faith, law enforcement, education, and the legal community in pursuit of collective healing and progress. At the time of his passing, he faithfully served as Chairman of the Board of the Albany-Dougherty County Board of Elections. His life of service earned numerous honors: the NAACP Religious Award; Outstanding Georgia Citizen Award presented by then-Secretary of State Cathy Cox; Excellence in Community Award from the NAACP; the Trailblazer Award from 100 Black Men of Albany; Citizen of the Year from Omega Psi Phi--Eta Omicron Chapter; the Liberty Bell Award from the Dougherty County Bar Association; a Certificate of Special Congressional Record from yours truly for his leadership in Stop the Violence initiatives; eight Mayoral Proclamations; Albany's STRIDE Award; and many additional commendations recognizing his humanitarian and civic contributions. Bishop Williams was also an author and creative minister--writing Order in the House and The Church Under Siege, producing the gospel recording Zion Is Calling, and hosting the podcast Plug In With Bishop--platforms through which he taught, encouraged, and lifted up his community during seasons of trial and renewal. In 2009, following the tragic loss of his sister, Bishop Williams convened leaders at Albany State University and asked, ``What can we do?'' Out of that conversation grew a sustained, collaborative response to violence and community pain--an enduring testament to his capacity to turn grief into constructive action. Mr. Speaker, Bishop Dr. Frederick Williams, Sr., was a man who married conviction with compassion, preaching comfort while organizing for justice. He answered calls to both prayer and practice, building institutions, mentoring leaders, and offering pastoral care to countless families. He bore witness to a faith that moved beyond sanctuary walls into streets, schools, and global mission fields. I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian, and the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring Bishop Dr. Frederick Williams, Sr.--a pastor, a prophet, a builder, and a beloved servant whose life of faith, intellect, and action made our communities stronger and kinder. We mourn his passing, we celebrate his harvest, and we pledge to carry forward his work of healing, justice, and spiritual formation. May his memory be for a blessing. May his family find comfort in the countless lives he touched. And may his legacy continue to light the way for leaders who follow in the Holy work of service. ____________________