LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the First Baptist Church of Crown
Heights upon hosting its Veterans Service on April 10, 2016, and paying
tribute to this year's honorees

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 Nation to pay tribute
to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to the
ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the First Baptist Church of Crown Heights upon hosting its Veterans
Service on Sunday, April 10, 2016, in Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, This year's honored veterans include Henry Eugene Berger,
Marion Bowden, Charles Brown, Ollie Burch, Barry Bragton, Michael
Cochran, Michael Dyer, Brian Ford, Charles Ford, Benjamin Everson,
Norwood Hughes, Charles Henderson, Robert Jackson, Charles Jordan, Feber
Kennedy, Robert Lewis III, Hipolito Manzo, Ronald Newman, Joseph Lawson,
Francis Hebb, Russell Taylor, Darryl K. Taylor, Ms. Patricia McMillan,
Hiawatha Olds, Beverly Woods, Mary Silvers and Freddie Simmons; and
WHEREAS, The First Baptist Church of Crown Heights was founded on
April 30, 1953, for the purpose of proclaiming a gospel message relevant
to man's needs in a changing society, as well as to work towards the
liberation of men from all forms of oppression whether it be spiritual,
social, political or economic; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, the First Baptist Church of Crown Heights has
continued to grow and expand in its mission of gathering disciples for
Jesus Christ under the able leadership of the late Pastor Clarence
Norman; and
WHEREAS, In addition, this esteemed religious institution has
addressed community issues such as job training, housing development,
and has offered services for the homeless and the elderly as part of its
outreach ministry; and
WHEREAS, Today, under the luminous guidance of Pastor Daryl G. Blood-
saw, the First Baptist Church of Crown Heights continues to thrive as a
source of spiritual guidance and fulfillment to the Crown Heights commu-
nity and beyond; and
WHEREAS, The First Baptist Church of Crown Heights now 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
commend the First Baptist Church of Crown Heights upon hosting its
Veterans Service on April 10, 2016, and to pay tribute to this year's
honorees; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Reverend Daryl G. Bloodsaw, First Baptist Church of Crown
Heights, Brooklyn, New York, and the aforementioned honorees.