Today, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson held her 18th Annual Prayer Breakfast at the Baylor Health Care Diabetes Health and Wellness Institute at the Juanita J. Craft Recreation Center. The theme this year was “The Cost of Humanity: Protecting and Providing for Society’s Vulnerable.”
Congresswoman Johnson is a founding co-chair of the Congressional Homeless Caucus, and has identified an increased need for services for those who are lacking basic necessities in the 30th district. “Everyone in a shelter did not start there, and whether it’s a single mother, veteran, or professional who has fallen on hard times, it is our responsibility as a community to lift them up as they transition to improved circumstances,” said Congresswoman Johnson.
Bishop Vashti McKenzie, the presiding Bishop for the 10th Episcopal District for the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and a member of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Council of the White House Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, gave the keynote address. Congresswoman Johnson also honored Bishop J. Neaul Haynes, a long-standing board member of the Church of God in Christ.
“It is very fitting to honor Bishop Haynes among his peers at this year’s 2013 Annual Prayer Breakfast. His tireless service with the Church of God in Christ has served the North Texas community and the Nation for over six decades,” said Congresswoman Johnson.
Joel Allison, President & CEO of Baylor Health Care System, also offered remarks during the prayer breakfast. “Congresswoman Johnson has always been there for those who are in need of help. She has always been there for the downtrodden. We are grateful for her leadership,” said President Allison.
More than one hundred leaders of the North Texas faith-based community were in attendance and discussed the importance of providing assistance to those that are poverty-stricken in Dallas. A diverse group of faith leaders from the Baptist, Church of God in Christ, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu communities attended the prayer breakfast.
U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Kessler Park, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, South Dallas & South Oak Cliff; all of Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Ferris, Glenn Heights, South Grand Prairie, Oak Lawn, Ovilla, Uptown/Victory Park and West Dallas.
