A Tribute To The Berean Institute

Floor Speech

* Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, the Berean Institute's long and esteemed history began with the vision of one man, Reverend Matthew Anderson. Reverend Anderson began his work at the Gloucester Mission in North Philadelphia in 1879. In 1880, the Berean Presbyterian Church was founded, from a hall meeting room on Fairmount Avenue, with no funds, but with an abundance of unshaken trust in God. In 1888, he founded the Berean Building and Loan Association. Later renamed the Berean Savings and Loan Association, it enabled African Americans to borrow money to buy homes. With the migration of many African Americans coming from the south that needed special training, Rev. Anderson founded Berean Mutual Training and Industrial School.

* In 1899, Rev. Anderson was able to gain support to found a school for the economically disenfranchised. In 1904, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania incorporated Berean Manual and Industrial School, a corporate charter. In the early years, Berean offered training in plumbing, custom and merchant tailoring, dressmaking, carpentry and home management. Today, the Berean Institute which still resides on the same grounds as the original complex conducts programs in such areas as accounting, computer repair, and cosmetology for over 100 full-time and part-time students.

* The Berean Institute is regarded as one of the leading business schools in Philadelphia and serves a broad-cross section of students that come from local as well as distant places to learn. Rev. Anderson was succeeded by his widow Mrs. Blanche W. Still Anderson, followed by Ms. Louise B. Yergan, Mr. Jeffery O. Jones, Mr. Charles Preston, Ms. Lucille P. Blondin, and by the Berean Institute's current president, Mr. Andrew Carn. The leadership reins have also been shared by the board of trustees. The Berean Institute experienced considerable growth under former chairman Dr. William H. Gray. Dr. Gray was succeeded by Dr. Robert Johnson-Smith, Dr. Leonard W. Johnson, and Berean's current chairperson Kim Staudt. Under its exceptional leadership, the Berean Institute continues its service and diverse programs that provide education and training for many students who would be otherwise left out.

* The Berean Institute celebrated its 108th year of service on Friday, February 23, and looks forward to the future to continue the vision and service of Reverend Matthew Anderson.

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