Bill Text: NY J02397 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commending Pastor Cecilio Edwards upon the occasion of his 15th Pastoral Anniversary to be celebrated on May 25, 2024

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-05-14 - ADOPTED [J02397 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J02397-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 2397

BY: Senator MAYER

        COMMENDING   Pastor   Cecilio   Edwards  upon  the
        occasion of his  15th  Pastoral  Anniversary  to  be
        celebrated on May 25, 2024

  WHEREAS,  The character and richness of religious and community life
in this noble Empire  State  is  nourished  and  fulfilled  through  the
faithful  concern  and selfless devotion of those who would commit their
energies and purpose to the ministry of others; and

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this  Legislative  Body  to  bring  full
recognition  and  just  tribute  to  those  individuals  who distinguish
themselves and the ministry through  their  unremitting  commitment  and
preeminence of service; and

  WHEREAS,  This  Legislative  Body  is justly proud to commend Pastor
Cecilio Edwards upon the occasion of his 15th Pastoral Anniversary to be
celebrated  on  Saturday,  May  25,  2024,  at  Shiloh  Baptist  Church,
Tuckahoe, New York; and

  WHEREAS,  In  addition  to  his  Pastoral Anniversary, Elder Cecilio
Edwards will also be celebrating his Birthday at  this  esteemed  event;
and

  WHEREAS,  Elder  Cecilio Edwards, a humble true Man of God, was born
in Panama, Central America, where he attended a Baptist Church  and  was
thought  to  have  the  wisdom of an old man by his beloved grandmother,
Teresa Mathurin; and

  WHEREAS, At the age of 11, his parents relocated to the  Bronx,  New
York, and Cecilio Edwards attended William Howard Taft High School; and

  WHEREAS,  Fluent in English and Spanish, Cecilio Edwards enlisted in
the United States Army in 1976; he completed his high school diploma  in
Monterey,  California,  and  proudly  served  his country for four years
before being honorably discharged in 1980; and

  WHEREAS, Elder Cecilio Edwards married the love of his life,  Wanda,
in  December  of 1980, and joined the Pressley Memorial Church of God in
Christ, Inc.; and

  WHEREAS, The Supervisor  Emeritus  of  the  4th  ENY  Ecclesiastical
Jurisdiction  and  Pastor Willie Lee Brown's wife, Mother Vera E. Brown,
adopted him as one of her sons;  under  the  leadership  of  Pastor  and
Mother  Brown,  Elder  Cecilio Edwards was appointed a Deacon, Minister,
and Sunday School teacher; and

  WHEREAS, A profound teacher of the Word of God, Cecilio Edwards  was
ordained an Elder in 1992 by the late Bishop John P. Lee, Sr.; after the
death  of  Pastor  Willie  Lee  Brown in 2008, Elder Cecilio Edwards was
installed as Pastor of Pressley Memorial Church of God in  Christ  where
he  tirelessly  continued  the  work  of  the  ministry, providing help,
showing Godly love, visiting the sick, praying and fasting, and  feeding
the hungry and less fortunate; and


  WHEREAS,  Elder Cecilio Edwards attended Lehman College from 1980 to
1983, and O.M.  Kelly  Bible  Institute  in  the  early  1990s;  he  was
gainfully  employed by New York City MTA for 25 years before retiring in
May of 2020; and

  WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God has brought to  his  ministry
an overwhelming spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and
enlightenment  in  conducting  his  administrative and spiritual duties,
while  always  displaying  the  highest  standards   of   personal   and
professional integrity and dedication; and

  WHEREAS,  Elder  Cecilio  Edwards  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 custom 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
commend  Elder  Cecilio  Edwards  upon the occasion of his 15th Pastoral
Anniversary, noting his unremitting  and  compassionate  faith  and  his
exemplary  service  to God, man, and his community, and extending to him
the heartfelt best wishes of this  Legislative  Body  for  a  future  of
purposeful success and well-being; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Elder Cecilio Edwards.