Congressional Daily Record
This section is a tribute, commemoration, or district-facing statement. It mentions members such as Cleo Fields. Extensions of Remarks are statements submitted for the official record, even if they were not spoken live on the floor.
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October 13, 2026
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Extensions of Remarks
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Download official Extensions PDFReturn to issue contextHON. CLEO FIELDS
of louisiana
in the house of representatives
Mr. FIELDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mary Springhill African Methodist Episcopal Church of Shreveport, Louisiana, a historic congregation and steadfast community institution located at 4426 Linwood Avenue. Under the leadership of Dr. Lorenzo Neal and the Central North Louisiana Conference within the 8th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Mary Springhill AME continues to serve as a beacon of faith, fellowship, worship, and community engagement.
anniversary in late 2025, reflecting a history that reaches back to approximately 1898. For more than a century, the congregation has provided generations of worshippers with a spiritual home where individuals and families can gather, grow in faith, and support one another through life's joys and challenges.
The designation “African Methodist Episcopal” carries profound historical meaning. The denomination was organized by people of African descent in response to racial discrimination within the white Methodist Episcopal Church and was legally established in 1816 by Richard Allen in Philadelphia. “Methodist” reflects the church's doctrinal roots, while “Episcopal” describes its governance by bishops.
The name “Mary Springhill“ also reflects the ways in which African American congregations have preserved faith, family, and local history in their names. “Springhill“ may refer to the location of an original church site, a natural landmark, or a historic community settlement, while “Mary” may honor a biblical figure or an important person connected to the congregation's founding and heritage.
Wesleyan-Arminian theological tradition. The church affirms the Holy Trinity—God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost—as one eternal God, as well as the true resurrection of Jesus Christ.
canonical books of the Old and New Testaments as containing all things necessary for human salvation. Its ministry emphasizes grace, forgiveness, inclusivity, and the opportunity for individuals to receive second chances through the teachings of Jesus Christ.
action. Through community service, social empowerment, outreach, traditional hymns, contemporary worship, and youth ministries, Mary Springhill AME seeks to strengthen families, encourage young people, and respond to the needs of the Shreveport community.
Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. Lorenzo Neal and the faithful congregation of Mary Springhill African Methodist Episcopal Church for more than a century of worship, perseverance, service, and Christian witness. May Mary Springhill AME continue to be a source of hope, spiritual growth, community empowerment, and fellowship for the people of Shreveport and for generations to come.