Brenda Jones

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 45th Pastoral Anniversary of Dallas A. Walker, Jr., Minister of Detroit's Wyoming Avenue Church of Christ.

Born in Vernon, Alabama, Pastor Walker comes from a strong lineage of faith leaders. His grandfather was a pioneer minister in Northwest Alabama and his father served as a church elder at the Mayfield Church of Christ in Fayette, Alabama. His mother was a devout Christian that lived to see her two youngest sons fulfill a family legacy proclaiming the Gospel of Christ.

Pastor Walker graduated from Lamar County Training School, and went on to attend Southwestern Christian College. He later earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Detroit Mercy and a Master' s Degree in Professional Counseling from Wayne State University in Detroit. Pastor Walker began his formal ministry at the Church of Christ in Athens, Alabama. He has also served two other Alabama congregations, the Woodland Park Church of Christ in Birmingham, Alabama and the Farris Drive Church of Christ in Huntsville, Alabama.

Pastor Walker and his wife of 54 years, Beverly MacDonald Walker (deceased), have three kids, Pamela Spear, Jennifer Leake, and Dallas A. Walker, III.

Widely known as a ``Preacher's Preacher'', he is an international evangelist, that has traveled firsthand to numerous biblical sites, among them the Mountain at Nebo, Bethlehem, the Sea of Galilee, Jericho, and the Garden of Gethsemane.

Pastor Walker is a stalwart spiritual compass in the city of Detroit. He can be seen all over the district sharing the scripture and hosting revivals. His dedication to the community was honored with secondary street naming of Wyoming and Chippewa Avenues. He also sits on the board of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Celebrated Seniors.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in applauding Pastor Dallas A. Walker, Jr. for his 45 years of service in ministry at the Wyoming Avenue Church of Christ.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor my constituent William ``Bill'' Ratliff for his commitment to public service and congratulate him on being named Assistant Chief of Police at Inkster's Police Department.

In 1987, while still attending high school, Mr. Ratliff got an early start to a career in public service as a Police Explorer for the Inkster Police Department. In 1991, he joined the Inkster Police Department as a Communications Assistant and Dispatcher. Mr. Ratliff excelled in that capacity and was rewarded with a promotion to Ordinance Officer.

In 1995, Mr. Ratliff would join the Detroit Police Department as their Spokesperson. He would remain with the department until he left for a private sector job in public relations.

In 2004, the Michigan Senate recognized Mr. Ratliff for courageous actions in donating a kidney to his best friend Omie Smith.

Mr. Ratliff's affinity for public service would eventually lead him back to public service. In 2006, he was named Chief of Staff for a Detroit City Council Member. A year later, he would return to his roots, becoming Inkster Police Department's Director of Emergency Management and Chief of Auxiliary Police.

In 2010, as a police officer, Mr. Ratliff was assigned to community policing. In 2014, his relentless hard work and tireless dedicated to ensuring public safety while taking heed to the needs of the community led to his promotion to the rank of Sergeant. Just two years later, he would be promoted again to Commander.

In 2018, Mr. Ratliff's commitment to service and public safety would be rewarded with a promotion to Assistant Chief of Police of Inkster's Police Department.

Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Assistant Chief of Police William ``Bill'' Ratliff on his well-earned promotion and over two decades of selfless service to the people of Southeast Michigan.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 45th Pastoral Anniversary of Dallas A. Walker, Jr., Minister of Detroit's Wyoming Avenue Church of Christ.

Born in Vernon, Alabama, Pastor Walker comes from a strong lineage of faith leaders. His grandfather was a pioneer minister in Northwest Alabama and his father served as a church elder at the Mayfield Church of Christ in Fayette, Alabama. His mother was a devout Christian that lived to see her two youngest sons fulfill a family legacy proclaiming the Gospel of Christ.

Pastor Walker graduated from Lamar County Training School, and went on to attend Southwestern Christian College. He later earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Detroit Mercy and a Master's Degree in Professional Counseling from Wayne State University in Detroit. Pastor Walker began his formal ministry at the Church of Christ in Athens, Alabama. He has also served two other Alabama congregations, the Woodland Park Church of Christ in Birmingham, Alabama and the Farris Drive Church of Christ in Huntsville, Alabama.

Pastor Walker and his wife of 54 years, Beverly MacDonald Walker (deceased), have three kids, Pamela Spear, Jennifer Leake, and Dallas A. Walker, III.

Widely known as a ``Preacher's Preacher'', he is an international evangelist, that has traveled firsthand to numerous biblical sites, among them the Mountain at Nebo, Bethlehem, the Sea of Galilee, Jericho, and the Garden of Gethsemane.

Pastor Walker is a stalwart spiritual compass in the city of Detroit. He can be seen all over the district sharing the scripture and hosting revivals. His dedication to the community was honored with secondary street naming of Wyoming and Chippewa Avenues. He also sits on the board of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Celebrated Seniors.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in applauding Pastor Dallas A. Walker, Jr. for his 45 years of service in ministry at the Wyoming Avenue Church of Christ.