LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Joan-el Jones Thompson upon the occa-
sion of her ordination into the ministry of the Christian faith

WHEREAS, The character and richness of religious and community life in
this noble Empire State are 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
through their unremitting commitment and preeminence of service; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Joan-el
Jones Thompson upon the occasion of her ordination into the ministry of
the christian faith on Sunday, March 29, 2009, at The Church of The Open
Door in Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Joan-el Jones Thompson is the second daughter born to the
late Herman and Augusta Jones; she was raised in the Gowanus Housing
Projects in Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Two weeks after graduating from Prospect Heights High School,
Joan-el Jones Thompson began her professional career at the American
Telephone and Telegraph Company and began attending Brooklyn College in
the evenings working towards a degree; she earned both an Associates
Degree and then a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in
English/Education from Brooklyn College; and
WHEREAS, With 28 years of service to her credit, Joan-el Jones Thomp-
son retired from Bell Atlantic as a Customer Service Manager/Instructor
in August of 1997; two weeks later, she began her second professional
career as an educator with The New York City Department of Education;
for a few years intermittently she returned to Bell Atlantic/Verizon as
a consultant and she is presently assigned as a teacher in an elementary
school in Coney Island, New York; and
WHEREAS, Joan-el Jones Thompson has taught the fourth and fifth grade;
while doing so, she returned to school, took courses in the evenings,
summers and weekends and in 2004, earned a Masters of Science in Educa-
tion with a major in Literacy from Long Island University with a proud
3.87 G.P.A.; and
WHEREAS, While career and educational accomplishments are noteworthy,
the most important aspect of Joan-el is her spiritual life; in March of
1975, she became acutely aware of the message of salvation and received
Jesus in her life as Lord and Savior; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her life and up until this point, Joan-el Jones
Thompson has been a member of three churches; it was while at her first
church, New York United, that God brought her and her loving husband
Leonard together; they were married in 1987 and have served together in
ministries since their union; and
WHEREAS, Joan-el Jones Thompson has been a member of The Church of The
Open Door since February of 2002, and has served as a special part of
the ministerial training class serving as a minister; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by the citizens of the
great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Joan-el Jones Thompson upon the occasion of her ordination into
the ministry of the Christian faith; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Joan-el Jones Thompson.