LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Pastor Bishop Dr. Sammie L. Rankin and
First Lady Rankin for over 50 years of dedicated service to the communi-
ty of Niagara Falls, New York

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Bishop and First Lady Rankin have given not only of their
time and energies but also of their competence, intelligence and leader-
ship and consequently have been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Pastor Bishop
Dr. Sammie L. Rankin and First Lady Rankin for over 50 years of dedi-
cated service to the community of Niagara Falls, New York, to be
observed on Saturday, April 14, 2012, at the Niagara Falls Conference
Center; in addition, this auspicious event will celebrate Bishop
Rankin's 5th Pastoral Anniversary as spiritual leader of the Independent
Church of God in Christ New Jerusalem Revival Center; and
WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Bishop Sammie Rankin, several new
ministries have been consecrated at the New Jerusalem Revival Center
Church; he oversees a variety of ministerial programs including prison
ministry, senior citizens transportation and visitation ministry and
food delivery assistance for those in need; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Sammie Rankin is the President and CEO of the Inde-
pendent Church of God in Christ which oversees the New Jerusalem Report-
ing Center for Boys, one of the most successful programs for "at risk
youth" in Western New York; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Sammie Rankin is an active Board member of Life Trans-
formation Ministries Youth Reporting Center Global, Inc., which has just
launched a collaborative program with the Niagara Falls School District,
the City of Niagara Falls and the Niagara County Department of Social
Services to deal with the critical issue of school truancy in their
community; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Bishop Sammie Rankin has been instrumental in
the PEACE Program; this first of its kind program is designed to lower
the recidivism rate for Niagara County prison inmates; and
WHEREAS, Bishop and First Lady Rankin have been called upon to
contribute their time and talents to countless civic and charitable
endeavors and have always given of themselves unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of their community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Bishop and First Lady Rankin have
stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals
for the benefit of others which Bishop and First Lady Rankin have
displayed throughout their lives; 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 all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Pastor Bishop Dr. Sammie L. Rankin and First Lady Rankin for over
50 years of dedicated service to the community of Niagara Falls, New
York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Bishop and First Lady Rankin.