[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 12] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 17395] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]A TRIBUTE TO REVEREND JAMES S. ALLEN ______ HON. ROBERT A. BRADY of pennsylvania in the house of representatives Tuesday, July 29, 2008 Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize my dear friend, Rev. James S. Allen, in honor of his 30th anniversary as pastor of the Vine Memorial Baptist Church of Philadelphia. Reverend Allen has carried the torch for human rights throughout his career and has brought that same passion to his ministry in Philadelphia. Through his work, he has touched the lives of numerous members of my community and continues to be a blessing to all those who encounter him. Born in rural Arkansas, Reverend Allen was a firsthand witness to the injustices of racial segregation. The young Reverend Allen walked 4 miles both ways to his segregated three-room schoolhouse every day, and in spite of the challenge, he went on to become valedictorian of his high school's graduating class. After Reverend Allen joined the United States Air Force and honorably served in the Korean War until 1956, he returned home to the ever burgeoning issue of racial equality and discovered his life's calling in the ministry. When the integration orders handed down in Brown v. Board of Education were jeopardized, Reverend Allen joined the fight to uphold its central purpose of racial equity. The day that President Eisenhower ordered military troops into Little Rock to ensure its desegregation, Reverend Allen, with the same thought in mind, enrolled at the Arkansas Baptist College. As a champion of human rights, Reverend Allen has made his mark in a number of places. He assisted Dr. Leon Sullivan in planning the first and second African American Summits and has worked extensively with the Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America Incorporated to help members of his community find and maintain jobs. Reverend Allen has served in numerous leadership positions for various organizations. Most notable has been his service as vice-president of National Baptist Congress of Christian Education and as the first president of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity. Reverend Allen also served as a special assistant to the first African American mayor of Philadelphia, W. Wilson Goode. Currently, Reverend Allen serves as the chairman of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations. Above his charitable contributions to the community at large, he is also a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Madam Speaker, Reverend Allen has been a minister for 51 years, 30 of which have been at the Vine Memorial Baptist Church of Philadelphia. He has served the people of many cities, making a lasting impact everywhere he has been. As a valued member of my community, I ask that you and my other esteemed colleagues join me in congratulating Reverend Allen on this occasion of achieving 30 years of pastoral excellence in Philadelphia and a growing legacy of human rights successes. ____________________