faith in action

ON THIS DAY - The United Methodist Building Featured in Congressional Special Order Speech

On November 12, 2024, celebrating 100 years of social justice work at the United Methodist Building on Capitol Hill, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II, delivered a special order speech to U.S. Representatives in the House Chamber.


rep cleaver in Chambers
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II, delivered a special order speech in the U.S. House of Representatives Chamber on the evening of November 12, 2024, highlighting the United Methodist Building's One-hundred Anniversary for Social Witness. (photo credit: CSPAN)

During his Special Order speech, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II, offered remarks to members of The U.S. House of Representatives about the consistent and remarkable social witness of the United Methodist Building.

Special order speeches (commonly called “special orders”) usually take place at the end of the day after members of the U.S. House of Representatives have completed all legislative business. During the special order period, individual representatives deliver speeches on topics of their choice for up to 60 minutes. Special orders provide one of the few opportunities for non-legislative debate in the House.

A former United Methodist Pastor, U.S. Congressman Cleaver, II, is now serving his tenth term as the Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District.

“The building located right across the street from us here has not only been a place for United Methodist witness, but a place where people from all over the world have been able to come and hold meetings. It has also been a place where people who were demonstrating could find a place where they could get a cool sip of water. It was a place where people in emergencies could come in. It was a place for refuge. Frankly, it still is a place of refuge,” said U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II.

Celebrating One-hundred Years of Witness at the United Methodist Building
For the entire year of 2024, the General Board of Church and Society is celebrating the momentous 100-year history of the United Methodist Building and the social justice actions of people called Methodists. Learn more about the Building’s 100-year history from the resources below.

United Methodist Building 100th Anniversary Resources

The United Methodist Building’s 100th Anniversary Celebration Event happened on September 26, 2024. The event was live streamed and featured Dr. Jericho Brown, Pulitzer Prize winning poet and the 2024 MacArthur Foundation ‘Genius Grant’, special guest speakers, musicians, and young voices committed to social justice. Click HERE to view the live stream.

To watch four new United Methodist Building video shorts “Celebrating 100 Years of Social Witness,” and for information on the year of celebration click here.

To purchase the 2024 United Methodist Building historical book written by Dr. Jessica M. Smith, For Justice and Enduring Peace: One Hundred Years of Social Witness, visit Cokesbury Publishing.

ON THIS DAY SERIES… Each month in 2024, Church and Society is highlighting notable days offering glimpses into the momentous 100-year history of the United Methodist Building (1924 - 2024) and the people called Methodists often walking along side ecumenical partners living their faith through social witness.