LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 76th Anniversary of People's
Institutional A.M.E. Church in Brooklyn, New York

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
76th Anniversary of People's Institutional A.M.E. Church in Brooklyn,
New York, on Sunday, June 26, 2011; and
WHEREAS, On this special day, five distinguished individuals will be
recognized with the Hon. Myrtle G. Whitmore Humble Servant Award; they
are: Anna Mae Randolph, Rose Spears, Pearl Shealey, Reverend Maurice
Douglas and Robert Cornegy; and
WHEREAS, People's Institutional A.M.E. Church was organized out of
protest after the Reverend Charles W. Stewart, having served Bridge
Street A.M.E. Church as its Pastor for two years, was sent to Bethel
A.M.E. Church in Buffalo, New York; and
WHEREAS, On June 20, 1935, People's Institutional A.M.E. Church was
organized and effected as "A Church of the People, by the People, and
for the People," and named People's Institutional Community Methodist
Church; and
WHEREAS, People's Institutional Community Methodist Church purchased
its first site on Greene Avenue in Brooklyn, and additional property was
purchased on McDonough Street and used as a community center; and
WHEREAS, In 1958, People's Institutional Community Methodist Church
was received in the New York Annual Conference and the Reverend Dr.
Charles W. Stewart was transferred as its Pastor the following year; and
WHEREAS, Since its beginning, People's Institutional A.M.E. Church
has been spiritually uplifted under the leadership of Reverend Millard
D. Birt, Reverend Eugene McAshan, Reverend Simon A. Perkins, Bishop
Frank C. Cummings, Reverend Gregory Groover, Reverend James F. Leath,
Reverend Melvin E. Wilson, Reverend Henry A. Belin, III, and Reverend
Wayne A. Johnson, Sr.; and
WHEREAS, On November 5, 2004, Bishop Richard Franklin Norris, Sr.
assigned Reverend Carrie Nobles to the Pastorate of People's Institu-
tional A.M.E. Church, its first female under-shepherd; and
WHEREAS, Ably led by Reverend Carrie Nobles, People's Institutional
A.M.E. Church stands on the threshold 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 76th Anniversary of People's Institutional A.M.E. Church
in Brooklyn, New York, 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 copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Reverend Carrie Nobles, People's Institutional A.M.E. Church
in Brooklyn, New York and to the aforementioned honorees.