[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 68 (Thursday, May 26, 1994)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [Congressional Record: May 26, 1994] From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] SALUTE TO JOYCE ERLINDA GAMBRELL DRAYTON ______ HON. THOMAS M. FOGLIETTA of pennsylvania in the house of representatives Wednesday, May 25, 1994 Mr. FOGLIETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute Joyce Erlinda Gambrell Drayton, who this weekend will be honored by the Baptist Ministers Conferences and Associations, in conjunction with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Mass Choir for her stellar service as a church musician in the Philadelphia church community. This service will be convened by the Reverend Anthony Floyd at the Hickman Temple AME Church on Baltimore Avenue in Philadelphia where Rev. Joseph Patterson is pastor. Mrs. Drayton's musical career was born at the age of 9 when she studied piano under the late Vernon White, and organ under the late Helen Gatling. At the age of 10, Joyce joined the Sunday school choir at the Nazarene Baptist Church, under the direction of her mother, Georgia Gregory. Her musical studies continued, learning the violin and bass fiddle, as well as receiving a scholarship to the settlement music camp where she studied piano and bass with members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. While attending the Kensington High School for Girls, Joyce accompanied the Kensington High School concert choir under the direction of William Felton, and was a member of the All City Orchestra. While attending Cheyney State College, now Cheyney University, she accompanied the concert choir under the direction of D. Jack Moses. Mrs. Drayton received an A.B.S. in elementary education from Cheyney, and a masters degree in social work at Temple University, where she was vice president of her class. Additionally, she has furthered her musical studies in organ under Dr. J. Edward Hoy and Rosemarie Coleman of the Combs College of Music. Mrs. Drayton's 36 years of church music service reads like an encyclopedia of Philadelphia religious institutions, having served Ward AME Church, Second Macedonia Baptist Church, First Corinthian Baptist Church, and First Baptist Church of Cresmont. She was also a member of the Music Executive Board and accompanist for the Billy Graham Crusade in June 1992, and in 1985 was director of the City Wide Revival Choir where she has also served as a musician. Mrs. Drayton was the first director appointed by the Missionary Baptist Pastor's Conference, now under the presidency of Rev. Anthony Floyd, to organize the Martin Luther King, Jr. Massed Choir, which performed for the first Martin Luther King, Jr., celebration hosted by the Baptist Minister's Conferences and associations of Philadelphia and vicinity. Mrs. Drayton is the founder and president of Church Musicians Services, Inc., a minority-owned business dedicated to the enhancement of religious music in Philadelphia, providing a referral system for church musician as well as training and education, and a quarterly newsletter, Hallelujah. Mrs. Drayton's latest project is the publication of ``Distinguished Church Musicians in the United States,'' a book to recognize all musicians who have and are serving in congregations across the country. Mr. Speaker, Joyce Erlinda Gambrell Drayton is a pillar of the Philadelphia religious community. I am proud to stand with her friends, family, and congregation in thanking her for her many years of great service to God. ____________________