Recognizing Bishop Thomas Scott and His Lifetime of Public Service

Floor Speech

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Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a faithful and impactful leader for the Tampa Bay community and our country, Bishop Thomas Scott. Bishop Scott has made an extraordinary contribution to the lives of our neighbors as a pastor, public servant and community activist. We celebrate his lifetime achievements with immense gratitude and call to others to learn from his example in public service. Bishop Scott continues to serve as pastor for the 34th Street Church of God, a role which he has held since April of 1980, demonstrating that he is grounded in humility and committed to his faith mission.

Bishop Scott was born in Macon, Georgia to the late William and Jessie Lee Scott. He received a calling and started preaching in August of 1971 at the Community Church of God in Macon, under the ministry of Rev. G. H. Williams. Through his time at the Community Church of God, Bishop Scott was encouraged and called to church leadership.

During the latter part of the 1970's, Bishop Scott relocated to Jacksonville, Florida to work in ministry with his spiritual Father, the late Rev. Dr. Richard Harry Patrick Cleaveland, at the 4th Street Church of God, where he served as the pastor of youth and young adults.

For over 40 years, Bishop Scott has served as the senior pastor for the 34th Street Church of God. Under his leadership, the church has experienced significant growth. His support and commitment to education directed him to open the King's Kids Christian Academy, one of the premier schools in Tampa, Florida. Bishop Scott's work with the community motivated him to initiate the Tampa Bay Family and Community Development Corporation, as well as many other ministries that are far reaching and touching the lives of my Tampa Bay neighbors.

His commitment to the community did not stop at the church leadership. Bishop Scott was elected in 1996 to serve on the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioner until 2006, in which I had the honor to work alongside him for four years. After just one year in the job, his colleagues on the Board elected him chairman. Furthermore, he was elected in 2007 to the Tampa City Council, serving for three terms as chairman. Bishop Scott has a long reputation of building bridges across the community through his work as a public servant and church leader, gaining the trust of colleagues and members of the community. In his public roles, Bishop Scott was an outspoken advocate for affordable housing, health care and care of elders.

The commitment to his values and his family are demonstrated by his 41 years of marriage to his wife, Marva. Bishop Scott and Mrs. Marva have two sons, Marcus and Marlon, one daughter, Marla, and two daughters-in-law, Tanya Y. Scott and Tiese N. Scott. Their growing family is completed by twelve grandchildren.

Bishop Scott is a role model to my neighbors. His extensive educational background is composed of B.A. in Criminal Justice and a Minor in Sociology from the University of North Florida. Additionally, he earned a M.A. in Biblical Studies from the Assembly of God Theological Seminary. Later, in 1995 he earned a Doctor of Divinity degree from the Southern California School of Ministry. To complete his education, Bishop Scott was conferred a Doctor of Humane Letters degree by the Florida Metropolitan University.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Tampa Bay community, I am honored to celebrate Bishop Thomas Scott for his lifelong dedication to service-- to his church, his family, and his community. His story is one that embodies the best of American values and spirit, guided by faith and compassion.

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