RETIREMENT OF REV. CESSAR L. SCOTT, SR. AS EXECUTIVE MINISTER OF THE BAPTIST GENERAL CONVENTION OF VIRGINIA

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rev. Cessar L. Scott, Sr., Executive Minister of the Baptist General Convention of Virginia. Rev. Scott is retiring this year after 33 years of service as Executive Minister, and I would like to take this moment to recognize some of his numerous accomplishments during that time.

A native of Portsmouth, Virginia, Rev. Scott received his undergraduate degree from Virginia Union University in 1966 and his divinity degree from VUU's Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology in 1970. He also earned a master's degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Rev. Scott first became Executive Minister of the General Convention in 1978. Founded in 1899, The Baptist General Convention of Virginia is the mission organization network, representing over 1000 churches in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As the Executive Minister, Rev. Scott coordinates the day-to-day operation of the Convention, supervising its ministries and programs. These ministries offer conferences, workshops and retreats, and provide written resources on issues like Christian Education, Men's and Women's Health, and Youth Development.

Through his work at the Baptist General Convention, Rev. Scott has also supported many other state and national institutions including: the Children's Home of Virginia Baptists, Inc; Virginia One Church, One Child Adoption Program; the Chaplain's Prison Ministry; the United Negro College Fund; National Baptist Convention USA; the Progressive National Convention; and the Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention.

Rev. Scott serves on many statewide and national boards including the Virginia Union University Board of Trustees, the Council for America's First Freedom, the Corporate Board of the Sunday School Publishing Board of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., and the Executive Committee of the Lott Care Baptist Foreign Mission Board.

Under the faithful leadership of Rev. Scott, the Virginia Baptist General Convention has continued its legacy as a strong, leading voice in matters of faith in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I would like to congratulate Rev. Cessar L. Scott, Sr. on the event of his retirement, and I commend him for his 33 years of service to the people of Virginia.