[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 9] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 12756-12757] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING THE LIFE OF NETTIE B. ROGERS ______ HON. STEVE COHEN of tennessee in the house of representatives Thursday, July 1, 2010 Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Nettie Brown Rogers, a woman of keen faith and conviction who selflessly served the spiritual community of Memphis, Tennessee for over fifty years. Born in Memphis to Arthur and Bertha Brown on October 25, 1922, Nettie Rogers was a committed wife to Floyd Rogers, a caring mother of seven children and a community leader among the city's Baptist Churches. Deeply devoted to her Christian faith, Mrs. Rogers was a pioneering woman who accepted her calling to religion ``no matter what men might say.'' In 1958, she and 22 other community members co-founded Grace Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis. A committed member of Grace M.B. Church, Mrs. Rogers also served for ten years as an associate minister at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church where she was said to have done everything but preach. In 1968, Mrs. Rogers founded the Memphis Inter-Denominational Fellowship, Inc., a nonprofit that supports spiritual growth, Christian and public education and initiatives to reduce crime, juvenile delinquency and illiteracy. Under Mrs. Rogers's leadership, the Memphis Inter-Denominational Fellowship pursued creative initiatives, such as the ``Back to Church School Crusade,'' which established National Church School Day on the first Sunday in June. Through Operation Bread Basket, Mrs. Rogers provided food for over 30 years to individuals, churches, nursing homes and other community agencies. Endowed with faith, wisdom, and an unselfish love, Mrs. Rogers's life was characterized by such acts of unwavering commitment to Christian and community service. Mrs. Rogers's home in South Memphis was adorned with awards and letters from churches, schools and organizations documenting the achievements of her distinguished life. In [[Page 12757]] 2009, she was posthumously awarded the Ruby R. Wharton Outstanding Woman award in the area of Youth and Delinquency by Mayor AC. Wharton. That same year she was inducted into the Memphis African American Museum's Hall of Pulpits, the only woman among 12 male preachers. In 2007 and 2008, I issued Congressional proclamations commending her outstanding work in the community supporting youth engagement. In 2006 and 2008, the State of Tennessee House of Representatives passed Joint Resolutions honoring Mrs. Rogers for her strength in character and commitment to selfless good works. In 2002, the City of Memphis renamed the street she lived on to Fountain Court in her honor. Mrs. Rogers also received awards and recognition from the April 4th Foundation, Grace M.B. Church, the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club and LeMoyne-Owen College, among other well- deserved distinctions. Nettie Rogers passed away at her home in South Memphis on February 12, 2009 at the age of 86. She is survived by four daughters, two sons, 14 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and the legacy of her faith and public service. In the words of her daughter, Dr. Inetta F. Rogers who serves as the President of Memphis Inter-Denominational Fellowship, ``I saw her as a role model in the community and I'm preaching in pulpits where she couldn't.'' Memphis has been blessed to have benefited from the good deeds of this exceptional mother, wife, friend, spiritual advisor and ministry leader. Hers was a life well lived. ____________________