Edolphus Towns: “I come to the floor today to recognize Reverend Jacob N. Underwood, the founder of the Grace Baptist Church in east New…”

“I come to the floor today to recognize Reverend Jacob N. Underwood, the founder of the Grace Baptist Church in east New York's section of Brooklyn. He is a very unusual person and has done some great things. For instance, when the people in east New York were complaining about the lack of housing, Reverend Underwood pulled the group together and started building houses. He established the Grace Towers because people were complaining about not having housing. Then they came to talk about the inadequate schools. Then, of course, at that point in time he pulled some folks together and started a school. Then, when they were talking about jobs, he also provided jobs. I recall recently talking to Brother Lee in the east New York section, who indicated that Reverend Underwood gave him a job and that as a result now he has a house and family, and he went on to say how excited he was about that job that Reverend Underwood provided. Reverend Underwood did so much in the community. He was the kind of person who didn't believe in just complaining, sitting around and talking about what needs to be done. He was the kind of person that would go and get it done. We need more people like him today because Reverend Underwood was a very progressive person, had an agenda, promoted human welfare and social reform in the church and in the community. When people would say you can't do that, he would just say watch me because all things are possible with God.…”