[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 76 (Thursday, June 9, 2005)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1197] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] PAYING TRIBUTE TO REV. DR. NELSON ``FUZZY'' THOMPSON ______ HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER of missouri in the house of representatives Thursday, June 9, 2005 Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Reverend Doctor Nelson ``Fuzzy'' Thompson, a minister, humanitarian and a political activist whose legacy continues to enrich the lives of all Kansas Citians. After 14 years of service, on June 5, 2005, Rev. Thompson retired from his pastoral helm at Mason Memorial United Methodist Church, which is the cause of recognition and celebration of the dedication that he exudes in all aspects of service to the Kansas City community. Rev. Thompson's reputation as a community leader extends beyond the local or national level, but is inclusive of the international community. He was one of 22 U.S. ministers that traveled to South Africa on a fact finding educational exchange, at the request of Bishop Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, and the South African Council of Churches. ``Fuzzy,'' as he is affectionately known, was one of three U.S. ministers to conduct Easter services for U.S. hostages held in Tehran, Iran in 1980. He was also one of 17 U.S. ministers and activists who served as official observers for the first election ever held in South Africa that allowed the right to vote to all races. He said it was a humbling experience seeing people lining up the night before and standing in line for blocks in order to exercise their right to vote for the first time. Since 1984, Rev. Thompson has been a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. He served as Regional Coordinator of Rev. Jesse Jackson's 1984 Presidential campaign and as the Missouri State Coordinator of the Jackson Campaign in 1988. ``Fuzzy'' is currently President of the Kansas City Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He has served on the boards of Freedom Incorporated as Chairman of the Nominating Committee, Black Adoption Program and Services, Human Rights Commission of Kansas City, Missouri, and Northwest Political Faction. He has been involved in helping to solve the problems of young adults, especially in the areas of education and unemployment. He held the position of Executive Director of the Martin Luther King Urban Center for 30 years. Rev. Thompson graduated from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Education, and received a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry at St. Paul School of Theology. He has been married 39 years to Cheryl (Love) Thompson. His mother, Marvia Thompson, was a founding member of the St. James United Methodist which I pastor. In 2003, we joined Rev. Thompson to celebrate and mourn her death and life. He baptized my youngest son, Evan, and he has been a friend and a confidant to me for more than 30 years. Mr. Speaker, please join me in expressing our heartfelt gratitude to the Rev. Nelson ``Fuzzy'' Thompson for his relentless efforts in extending service not only within the areas surrounding Kansas City, Missouri and the United States, but for his contributions to the global community. I urge my colleagues to please join me in congratulating ``Fuzzy'' on his retirement as Pastor of Mason Memorial United Methodist Church, for we know that he has not retired from the ministry nor from the community, because God's work is never done. ____________________