LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending The Reverend Canon Franklin Reid for
his devoted service as Rector of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in the
Bronx, New York

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 Reverend
Canon Franklin Reid for his devoted service as Rector of St. Luke's
Episcopal Church in the Bronx, New York; he will be returning to his
homeland of Antigua and will oversee the Diocese of Northeastern Carib-
bean and Aruba; and
WHEREAS, At the tender age of 16 he received the call to serve God and
soon after enrolled as a theological student at Codrington Theological
College/University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados, from
where he graduated with honors; and
WHEREAS, In 1982, he was ordained Deacon at St. John's Cathedral,
Antigua, and was ordained to the Priesthood in May of 1983 at St. Mary's
Anglican Church, Anguilla; he served as a Curate at St. John's Cathedral
in Antigua and later as priest-in-charge of St. George's and St. John's
Anglican Churches in Nevis before migrating to the United States; and
WHEREAS, Before his installation at St. Luke's in 1989, he served at
several Churches, including St. Stephen's and St. Martin's Episcopal
Church in Brooklyn, Assistant Priest at St. James', Fordham, and Priest
Associate at St. Stephen's and Holy Nativity Episcopal Churches in the
Bronx; and
WHEREAS, Canon Reid's ministry has profoundly affected both the Church
and the community of the North East Bronx; under his 20-year leadership,
St. Luke's has experienced great growth, not only in the size of the
congregation, but also in the Church's spiritual and social commitment;
he believes that love is the most durable power in the world, and there
is, within human nature, something that responds to goodness; and
WHEREAS, Canon Reid encourages his congregation to be "a caring and
loving Church" and continues to stress the importance of the church's
involvement in community activities; he demonstrates this by his own
active participation in many organizations stretching from the Bronx to
South Africa; he has done extensive work in the townships of Tanzania
and South Africa reaching out to orphans and street kids; and
WHEREAS, A much sought after guest preacher, Canon Reid has been
called upon to spread the Gospel in many parts of the world including
the United States, the Caribbean and Africa; and
WHEREAS, He has received over 40 awards from various organizations and
several citations from the State of New York for his diligent and faith-
ful service; these include awards from the New York State Governor, the
Diocese of New York, and AIDS and Cancer support organizations as he is
an activist in the fight against these dreadful diseases; and
WHEREAS, A priest, teacher, counselor, husband, father, and friend,
Canon Reid's motto is "We were all created for each other, and not
against each other."; and
WHEREAS, Canon Reid 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, Blessed with a beautiful wife and two lovely daughters, this
distinguished man of God 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 indi-
vidual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend The Reverend Canon Franklin Reid for his devoted service as
Rector of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in the Bronx, New York, 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-be-
ing; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Reverend Canon Franklin Reid.