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Rep. John D. Dingell

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Pastor Phillip L. Ferrell, for his 19\1/2\ years of pastoral service to Mt. Hermon Baptist Church and for his eight years of service to the Ministers' Alliance of Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor and Vicinity, where he has served as President. As friends and family and community members gather on Friday, January 27, 2012, I would like to offer my appreciation for Pastor Ferrell's passion, dedication and commitment to Mt. Hermon Baptist Church and the Washtenaw County community.

Pastor Ferrell was born and raised in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and has spent a lifetime working to make our community a better place. His teachings and influence have not been reserved to the church; however, as he has accepted the call to action on several occasions, locally and across the State of Michigan. Pastor Ferrell served as a member of Governor Jennifer Granholm's Faith Based Advisory committee, as a member of the Ypsilanti Public Schools Emergency Crisis Team, as a Board Member of the local N.A.A.C.P., and as a member of the Washtenaw County Literacy Council. He has also shared his knowledge with our young people as an instructor in the Huron Valley District Congress of Christian Education, and is currently teaching in the Renaissance Christian Leadership School under the National Baptist U.S.A. Sunday School Publishing Board.

Pastor Ferrell has been a trusted leader, a wise teacher, a loving husband, father and grandfather, and a dear friend to many. Deborah and I are not alone in celebrating the long, meaningful and positive impact that Pastor Ferrell and his lovely family have had in my district.