[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 2] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 2090] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]THE 190TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DIXWELL AVENUE CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST ______ HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO of connecticut in the house of representatives Friday, February 26, 2010 Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 190th anniversary of the oldest formally recognized African American United Church of Christ church in the world, and a New Haven institution: the Dixwell Avenue Congregational United Church of Christ. This church was founded in troubled times for African-Americans, and it has persevered through recessions, depressions, and wars--including the great and terrible conflict that tore this nation apart and at last brought freedom to all our citizens. In the midst of long decades too often marked by segregation and prejudice, Dixwell survived--and even thrived. It has become a true fixture in our city of New Haven, and a proud beacon of tolerance, compassion, and justice. In fact, it has been such a beacon since its very inception. On one hand the year 1820 is remembered as a bright moment for our young republic, with an Era of Good Feelings at hand and the memories of both the War of 1812 and the Panic of 1819 fading away. On the other, 1820 was the year of the Missouri Compromise, and the dawning realization for many white Americans that the continued existence of slavery in a land of liberty was embarrassing, untenable, and morally wrong. It was these twin pulls of optimism and growing concern about slavery that formed the crucible of 1820, the year that twenty-four former slaves and one young white graduate of the Yale ministry, 19-year-old Simeon Jocelyn, gathered together in New Haven to found the ``Temple Street'' church, or as they called it, the African Ecclesiastical Society. This is a church founded in bright optimism, in the strong conviction that faith and love can overcome fear and prejudice. It was founded in a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood, and in the finest American tradition of liberty and equality for all. And it has remained so, throughout the 190 years of its existence. Indeed, the virtues that informed the founding of Dixwell have breathed through the congregation ever since. Now, as it was almost two centuries ago, Dixwell is still a place of hope and perseverance, of charity and compassion, of freedom, equality, and love. I am exceedingly proud to honor the 190th anniversary of Dixwell church and its congregation today. And I hope very much it continues its proud role in the life of New Haven for many centuries to come. ____________________