A senate RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR Reverend Dr. Kenneth Monroe, Presiding Bishop of the Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal zion church, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER YEARS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate has learned that Bishop Kenneth Monroe will begin a well-deserved retirement after decades of service as a dedicated minister in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church. Born and reared in Red Springs, North Carolina, Kenneth Monroe is the third son of the late Paul and Hazel Monroe. He was baptized and joined the St. James AME Zion Church of Red Springs and was later called to preach at the age of seventeen; and

Whereas, Kenneth Monroe earned a bachelor's degree from Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina, and earned both the deacon and elders' ordination in 1972 and 1974, respectively. He earned a master of divinity in 1976 from Duke University Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina, and a doctor of ministry in 2003 from Hartford Seminary in Connecticut; and

Whereas, he served as pastor of Taylor's Chapel and St. Mary AME Zion churches in Kittrell, North Carolina; Union Oak AME Zion Church in Hope Mills, North Carolina; Trinity AME Zion Church in Southern Pines, North Carolina; Metropolitan AME Zion Church in Kansas City, Missouri; and the Metropolitan AME Zion Church in Hartford, Connecticut. He also served as the presiding elder of the Kansas City District, which includes congregations in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska, and from 2001 to 2004, he served as presiding elder of the Nassau District of the Bahamas Island Annual Conference; and

Whereas, elected the 95th Bishop of the AME Zion Church in 2004, Bishop Monroe was assigned to the Western West Africa Episcopal District, which includes Ghana, Togo, Liberia, and Cote D'Ivoire. In 2005, he was given the responsibility to supervise the Kentucky and Missouri Annual Conferences. Under his leadership in 2006, the construction of the Janie Speaks Hospital in Afrancho, Ghana, was completed and dedicated; and

Whereas, prior to serving as the presiding bishop of the Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District, Bishop Monroe served as the presiding bishop of the South Atlantic Episcopal District of the AME Zion Church from 2008 to 2016 and was assigned to the Central North Carolina and Virgin Island Annual Conferences in 2012. In 2014, he completed the construction of the Kenneth Monroe Transformation Center in Rock Hill. He currently serves also as secretary of the Board of Bishops of the AME Zion Church; and

Whereas, a life member of the NAACP, he authored the book entitled, Adventures of Uncertainty: Making the impossible possible with God.  All proceeds from the sale of the book support pastors attending seminary. In 2018, he was honored with The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award for his exemplary service and contributions to the state of North Carolina and its communities; and

Whereas together with his beloved wife, the former Sheila Wells, they reared three fine children Erica Green, Kevin Monroe, and Adria Monroe. He has enjoyed the affection of seven loving grandchildren: Destiny, Devin, Jayden, London, Kamryn, Emaiya, and Myauni, and he has been blessed to see the continuation of his loving family legacy in one great-granddaughter, Amelia; and

Whereas, grateful for his many years of faithful service to the AME Church, the Senate is pleased to extend best wishes to Bishop Kenneth Monroe as he begins a richly deserved retirement. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor Reverend Dr. Kenneth Monroe, Presiding Bishop of the Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, upon the occasion of his retirement after years of exemplary service, and wish him continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Dr. Kenneth Monroe.

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