[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 1] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 531] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]IN HONOR OF BISHOP DR. AUDREY F. BRONSON ______ HON. JOE SESTAK of pennsylvania in the house of representatives Thursday, January 21, 2010 Mr. SESTAK. Madam Speaker, I would like to honor Bishop Dr. Audrey F. Bronson in recognition of her investiture as President of the Zion Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 24, 2010. Dr. Bronson is an ordained minister and consecrated bishop. She began preaching at the early age of fourteen and after many years of serving as an evangelist, she established the Sanctuary Church of the Open Door in 1975. Under her leadership, Sanctuary Church grew rapidly. She also founded the Sanctuary Christian Academy in 1978, a private academic school from pre-school to fifth grade; the Sanctuary Bible Institute and the Sanctuary Counseling and Referral Center. Because of the demands of a growing church, Dr. Bronson retired from Cheyney University in 1984 as Associate Professor of Psychology after seventeen years of teaching. She served as Dean of the Philadelphia Urban Education Institute, a subsidiary of the African American Interdenominational Ministries, Inc. (AAIM, Inc.) of Philadelphia in association with the major seminaries of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Bronson serves as secretary on the board of One Church, One Child, Inc. of Pennsylvania, a statewide organization organized to encourage members of African American Churches to adopt African American children. She also served on the Mayor's Transition Team. Dr. Bronson is deeply touched by human suffering and her church doors are open seven days a week to minister to people in need of both spiritual and physical help. Dr. Bronson has served as block captain; ministered in prisons; worked to rid the area of drugs surrounding her church and helped to feed homeless people. She has a tremendous desire to bring about changes in the lives of her fellowman and faith in his ability to help himself. Dr. Bronson will continue her good works as President of the Zion Baptist Church. The Zion Baptist Church began as a missionary prayer meeting in 1882 led by Reverend Horace B. Wayland in the home of Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Simms. Over the years, Zion membership grew to an extraordinary 6,000 congregants. In 1955, Zion moved to its current location at Broad & Venango Streets, where it was transformed into an urban Christian center. To this end, the Church initiated the following programs: a day care center, credit union, community center programs, employment agency, retirement home, adult education courses, reading classes and family counseling. The Zion Baptist Church and its leadership have consistently placed an emphasis on community development and Christian youth leadership. Community, social, and theological initiatives organized by the Church include the Zion Center for Corresponding Biblical Studies, weekly Bible Study, Transportation Ministry, Puppet and Clown Ministry, spiritual retreats, leadership workshops, Zion Outreach Support Ministry and the Human Services Center. Dr. Bronson's selection as President of the Zion Baptist Church is the well earned result of many years of dedicated service to the church and the Philadelphia community at large. On behalf of the Seventh Congressional District, I wish Dr. Bronson continued success in this new endeavor. ____________________