LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending The Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson
upon the occasion of his 35th Anniversary to be celebrated on Tuesday,
April 13, 2010

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 recog-
nition 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 The Rev. Dr.
W. Franklyn Richardson upon the occasion of his 35th Anniversary to be
celebrated on Tuesday, April 13, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson is the Senior Pastor of the
historic Grace Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, New York; he has been the
leader of this vibrant, diverse, multi-staffed ministry since April
1975; under his esteemed leadership, the congregation has grown to more
than 4000 members and in 2003, the ministry was expanded to Port St.
Lucie, Florida; and
WHEREAS, Prior to coming to New York, Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson
was Pastor of Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church, located in Richmond,
Virginia, and St. James Baptist Church in Varina, Virginia, concurrently
from 1969 until 1975; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of Virginia Union University, Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn
Richardson received his Divinity degree from Yale University Divinity
School and his Doctorate of Ministry as a Wyatt Tee Walker Fellow from
the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson has received many honors for
his extraordinary leadership in ministry including the Doctor of Divini-
ty from his alma mater, Virginia Union University and several other
colleges and universities; in 1989, he was inducted into the Martin
Luther King, Jr., Board of Preachers at Morehouse College in Atlanta,
Georgia; and
WHEREAS, A community builder and organizer for decades, Rev. Dr. W.
Franklyn Richardson has played a pivotal role in the grass root efforts
of reestablishing a cultural bridge between community and education; he
has been involved in the brick and mortar realities of housing develop-
ment and is singularly responsible for leveling the ground by fighting
for equitable opportunities in public education in the Mount Vernon
community; his insightful guidance is responsible for two Grace Church
related Community Development Corporations; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson served as General Secretary
for 12 years of the 8 million member National Baptist Convention USA,
Inc.; this experience led him to the international arena of the World
Council of Churches, where he served on its prestigious Central Commit-
tee; the World Council represents more than 400 million Christians in
150 nations; and
WHEREAS, In addition Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson served on the
Boards of the Congress of the National Black Churches, the National
Urban League, and the Constituency for Africa; a life member of the
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, he is also a
member of the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished theologian is an internationally sought
after preacher, lecturer and facilitator, having preached on several
continents; for the past 30 years, Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson has

been heard throughout the tri-state area on WVOX radio and is viewed on
national television every Sunday morning; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson is the author of
the widely acclaimed, POWER OF THE PEW, and has written several exten-
sive articles on faith-based community developments, of note: "Mission
to Mandate" in the NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE'S: STATE OF BLACK AMERICA; a
published preacher as well, his sermons can be found in publications
including KEEP THE FAITH, by Welcome Rain Publishers, and JOY TO THE
WORLD, by Simon & Schuster; and
WHEREAS, A man of intuitive reason and an incisive mind, Rev. Dr. W.
Franklyn Richardson demonstrates in his persona, the marvelous union of
passion and intellect; he is a national advocate for economic equity and
his counsel and advice is widely solicited in several major corporate
boardrooms throughout America; and
WHEREAS, Currently, Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson serves on the
Boards of the Institute of Church Administration and Management at the
Interdenominational Theological Center (ICAM) in Atlanta, Georgia; Pepsi
Cola Ethic Advisory Board; the Ujamaa Community Development Corporation;
the Harvard University Divinity School Summer Leadership Institute for
Church-based Community and Economic Development; and the Black Equity
Alliance of New York; he is also the Chairman of the Board of the
National Action Network and a Trustee of Virginia Union University; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Inez Nunnally Rich-
ardson, their two children, and their four grandchildren, all of whom
feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achieve-
ments; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson 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 profes-
sional integrity and dedication; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God has always given enlightenment,
guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and has adminis-
tered 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 indi-
vidual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson upon the occasion of his 35th
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 tran-
smitted to Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson.