VIDEO: Sen. Moran Speaks on Senate Floor to Congratulate Kansas Pastor Rex Petty on His Retirement

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) this week spoke on the Senate floor to honor Pastor Rex Petty of Liberal, Kansas, and congratulate him on his retirement following 40 years as pastor for Faith Tabernacle Church. “When I’m in town, Rex will always meet me with a warm smile and a steady handshake,” said Sen. Moran. “He has set a remarkable example of service and legacy that will not be forgotten.” “I believe the world is changed one soul at a time,” concluded Sen. Moran. “Reverend Petty committed his life to serving Jesus Christ. In that service, he touched many lives, loving his neighbor as himself. Rex Petty, a role model for us all.” Click HERE to Watch Sen. Moran’s Full Remarks Sen. Moran’s Full Remarks as Delivered: “Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Pastor Rex Petty for devoting decades of his life to serving the people of Liberal, Kansas as pastor of Faith Tabernacle Church and to congratulate him upon his retirement. “He started there as an associate pastor in 1984. Rex soon stepped into the role of interim pastor and the congregation voted to keep Rex on to continue leading the Church. “Recently, Rex celebrated an incredible milestone with his congregation: forty years of ministry at Faith Tabernacle Church. “Delvin Kinser, the news director of Great Plains Christian Radio, said of Rex, ‘He is more than a local minister devoted to his own congregation. For decades, he has made the entirety of Liberal, Kansas his mission field. Pastors have come and gone, but Rex has been a constant source of spiritual leadership in his hometown. His retirement leaves a tremendous void, but those who know him have little doubt that he has made a spiritual fabric of the community stronger than it otherwise would have been without him. Always cheerful, always positive, always about Jesus. That is Rex Petty.’ “Rex’s passion for service extends far into the Liberal community. He has been an involved member of the Liberal Ministerial Alliance, an organization that brings local churches together to care for the needs of the community. He is eager to minister to others and he’s often brought former NFL players to Liberal to share inspirational messages with students in southwest Kansas and the Oklahoma Panhandle. “Rex also served as the coordinator for the Liberal High School Baccalaureate. An avid sports fan, he can regularly be seen cheering in the stands at many local youth sporting events. “In a recent interview with the local paper, the Leader and Times, Rex said, ‘Maybe we don’t have the highest mountains or a lot of the lakes and streams and all that beauty other places have, but what we have is the people. And that’s been the most wonderful thing about Liberal.’ “Rex is civic-minded. He takes pride in his community. He can often be found leading prayers before local government meetings. He was instrumental in creating the city’s slogan: “From Generosity to Prosperity” “Rozelle Webb is the CEO of the Liberal Chamber of Commerce and she says, ‘Rex Petty has been a very “Liberal” pastor. He has given his time and heart, not only to his church and congregation, but to everyone in our town. We will miss his sincere love for Liberal.’ “Kansas State Representative Shannon Francis says, ‘Congratulations to my classmate,’ as he is a high school graduate of Liberal High School, ‘Congratulations to my classmate, Rex Petty, on his retirement. Rex is what makes rural America great. Rex is a hometown boy, who returned home after college and has spent over 40 years ministering to his friends, family and community members. His quiet, moral leadership has always been a source of calm and comfort in our community. We will miss him. “I’d like to recognize an additional person, a person besides Rex. It’s the person who supported Rex and, like him, is a cherished member of the Liberal community, his wife, Eydie. “She is committed to serving and investing in the lives of others, including serving as a teacher in the Liberal Public Schools. “This summer, Rex and Eydie will celebrate 42 years of marriage. Together, they are passionate about helping others and can always be found volunteering for Liberal’s Pancake Day and all other good causes. “They passed their desire to serve onto their family. And their son, Reid, works on my staff as a District Representative serving the people of Kansas. “When I’m in town, Rex will always meet me with a warm smile and a steady handshake. He has set a remarkable example of service and legacy that will not be forgotten. “Earl Watt, the publisher of the Leader and Times, summed it up pretty well by saying, ‘Thank you, Rex Petty, for being Liberal’s Pastor.’ “I congratulate him. In fact, I congratulate them, Rex and Eydie, for their service to Kansans, and I wish them the best as they enter this new chapter. “Mr. President, I believe the world is changed one soul at a time. Reverend Petty committed his life to serving Jesus Christ. In that service, he touched many lives, loving his neighbor as himself. Rex Petty, a role model for us all.” # # #