Bill Text: NY J02384 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Honoring Reverend Dr. Edward O. Williamson upon the occasion of his 20th Pastoral Anniversary

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-05-14 - ADOPTED [J02384 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J02384-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 2384

BY: Senator MAYER

        HONORING  Reverend  Dr.  Edward O. Williamson upon
        the occasion of his 20th Pastoral Anniversary

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative  Body  to  commend  the
efforts  of  those  individuals within the State of New York who give of
their time and energies in support of spiritual endeavors which  aim  to
benefit the community at large; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Reverend Dr. Edward O. Williamson upon the occasion of his 20th Pastoral
Anniversary, to be celebrated on  Saturday,  May  18,  2024,  at  Bethel
Baptist  Church's  20th  Pastoral  Anniversary  Luncheon  at  Mansion on
Broadway, White Plains, New York; and

  WHEREAS, Serving as the pastor-teacher of Bethel Baptist  Church  of
White  Plains, New York since 2004, Reverend Dr. Edward O. Williamson is
a native of East St. Louis, Illinois; graduating  from  East  St.  Louis
Lincoln  Senior  High  School  in  1979,  he  furthered his education by
earning his Bachelor of Arts degree at Western Illinois  University  and
his  Master  of Arts degree in General Theological Studies from Covenant
Theological Seminary in 1999; and

  WHEREAS, Attaining a wealth of knowledge,  Reverend  Dr.  Edward  O.
Williamson completed a year of post-graduate theological studies at Eden
Theological  Seminary  in  St.  Louis, Missouri; he earned the Doctor of
Ministry Degree with  an  emphasis  in  Christian  Education  and  Urban
Ministry from the United Theological Seminary in May of 2006; and

  WHEREAS, Answering the call to gospel ministry in 1985, Reverend Dr.
Edward  O.  Williamson  became licensed to preach at Mt. Zion Missionary
Baptist Church in St. Louis, Illinois; ordained in 1988, he served as an
assistant to the pastor of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church  in  East
St. Louis for two years and as pastor of the Southern missionary Baptist
Church in Madison, Illinois for nine years; and

  WHEREAS, Embarking on his career in New York, Reverend Dr. Edward O.
Williamson  served  as  the  pastor of Beautiful Plain Baptist Church in
Binghamton, New York for five years; and

  WHEREAS, Devout in his faith and service,  Reverend  Dr.  Edward  O.
Williamson  is  a  certified  instructor and certified dean of Christian
education for the Sunday School Publishing Board of the National Baptist
Convention, USA, Inc.; he formerly  served  as  the  Dean  of  Christian
Education  for the Central Hudson Baptist District Association and he is
currently the Vice President of The Congress of Christian Education,  an
assistant  state dean for the Empire Missionary Baptist State Convention
of New York, and the Regional Coordinator of the Northeast region of the
Sunday School Publishing Board; and

  WHEREAS, Devoted to the community, Reverend Dr. Edward O. Williamson
has held roles as a district executive and senior executive for the  Boy
Scouts  of  America,  an  intensive  drug abuse probation officer in St.

Clair County Illinois, and as clinical interventionist  and  aide  in  a
mental health and chemical dependency treatment center; and

  WHEREAS,  Having  received numerous awards and recognition, Reverend
Dr.   Edward O. Williamson  is  currently  a  member  of  the  Ministers
Fellowship  Council  of White Plains, Vice-Chairman of the board for the
Thomas  H.     Slater  Community  Center,  a   member   of   the   White
Plains/Greenburgh  Branch  NAACP,  Chaplain  for the White Plains Public
Safety Department, a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.  the  Beta
Alpha Alpha Chapter, and is involved in many other community development
and social service activities; and

  WHEREAS,  He has always given enlightenment, guidance, and wisdom to
the many entrusted to his  care  and  has  administered  abundantly  and
unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal needs of all; and

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a person
of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention it is
appropriate  to  publicly  and  jubilantly  proclaim  and  commend  that
individual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
honor  Reverend  Dr.  Edward O. Williamson upon the occasion of his 20th
Pastoral Anniversary; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Reverend Dr. Edward O. Williamson.