LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring The Reverend Peter Bramble after many
years of distinguished service as Rector and Pastor of the Church of St.
Mark, Brooklyn, New York

WHEREAS, The spiritual guidance and nurturing of the citizens of the
State of New York is of great importance to the vitality and well-being
of our communities; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to bring full recog-
nition and just tribute to those individuals of religious commitment who
accept the responsibility of moral leadership and render the wisdom of
human understanding; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor The
Reverend Peter Bramble after many years of distinguished service as
Rector and Pastor of the Church of St. Mark, Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Born in Harris, Montserrat, The Reverend Peter Bramble is a
graduate of Codrington College and The University of the West Indies; he
also holds two master's degrees from Yale Divinity School and a Ph.D.
from the University of Connecticut; and
WHEREAS, Prior to coming to the Church of St. Mark's, The Reverend
Peter Bramble distinguished himself as rector of St. Katherine of
Alexandria Episcopal Church in Baltimore; he also initiated the Public
Schools Uniform Project, which received national attention; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Peter Bramble was instrumental in developing the
Penn North Plaza; he also acquired the largest day care facility in the
City of Baltimore, and established BATGO, a program to reclaim troubled
youth in Maryland; and
WHEREAS, Since coming to Brooklyn in 1997, The Reverend Peter Bramble
has served as Rector and Pastor of the Church of St. Mark; one of the
largest Episcopal parishes in the nation and the largest in the Diocese
of Long Island; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious tenure, this esteemed man has
continued to distinguish himself as a community leader; he oversaw the
largest parochial day school in the Diocese, the St. Mark's Day School,
and was President of four housing corporations which collectively
provide over 300 units of housing to the elderly and the economically
disadvantaged, as well as market rate housing; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to helping others in his community, The Reverend
Peter Bramble led his church in joining the Brooklyn Ecumenical Credit
Union, and established a food program for the homeless at the Church of
St. Mark; furthermore, he acquired four properties in the neighborhood
for expanded church ministries and recently opened the Church's second
HUD 202 Housing project for the elderly; and
WHEREAS, An accomplished author, The Reverend Peter Bramble published
the book, THE OVERCOME: A BLACK PASSOVER in which he argues for the
introduction of major victory concepts in black thinking and life; he
also started the BALTIMORE TIMES which has subsequently grown to include
four community papers serving Annapolis, Prince Georges County, Balti-
more City and Baltimore County; and
WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous accolades and honors at the local,
state, and national levels, The Reverend Peter Bramble was recognized
with the 1989 Black Living Legends Award from the Junior Black Academy
of Arts and Letters; he was also profiled on the front page of the
People Section of the BALTIMORE SUN, as the "Entrepreneurial Priest";
and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Joy, and their two
children, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and
rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Peter Bramble will be long remembered for his
many inspirational good works, and tremendous leadership; he continues
to be an inspirational leader and role model for all members of the
community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor The Reverend Peter Bramble after many years of distinguished
service as Rector and Pastor of the Church of St. Mark, noting his
unremitting and compassionate faith and his service to God, humanity,
and his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Reverend Peter Bramble.