LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 60th Anniversary of St. Paul's
International Lutheran Church in Floral Park, New York, to be celebrated
on November 1, 2009

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
60th Anniversary of St. Paul's International Lutheran Church in Floral
Park, New York, to be celebrated on November 1, 2009; and
WHEREAS, As the Glen Oaks and Floral Park regions were emerging as
neighborhoods for World War II veterans, St. Paul's International Luth-
eran Church was founded by the Augustana Lutheran Church; it was formal-
ly organized on December 11, 1949, with a membership of 70 confirmed
adults and Reverend John W. Arthur as the first pastor; and
WHEREAS, By 1954, the congregation of St. Paul's International Luther-
an Church numbered 500 and the present education building was dedicated;
the present sanctuary was dedicated on December 9, 1962, under the lead-
ership of Reverend Daniel Picrolli; and
WHEREAS, Membership at St. Paul's International Lutheran Church dwin-
dled as the region changed, but the congregation persevered and found
new life through its connection with its neighbors from India and Sri
Lanka; and
WHEREAS, In 2001, Ashirwad-Divine Blessing Lutheran Ministry was
launched by the Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Ministry of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Metropolitan New York
Synod to reach out to the South Asians in the area under the leadership
of Reverend I. Daniel Peter Penumaka; and
WHEREAS, Two years later, it was proposed that St. Paul's Interna-
tional Lutheran Church and the Ashirwad-Divine Blessing Lutheran Minis-
try merge as one congregation; after a year-long consultation initiated
by the Metropolitan New York Synod, the unification was complete; and
WHEREAS, St. Paul's International Lutheran Church stands on the thres-
hold of tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades
while retaining that spiritual resolve which characterizes its past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the of 60th Anniversary of St. Paul's International Lutheran
Church in Floral Park, New York, to be celebrated on November 1, 2009,
fully confident that this commemoration reflects the belief in those
values which enhance the dignity and purpose of life; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to St. Paul's International Lutheran Church in Floral Park, New
York.