Senate Resolution No. 1025

BY: Senator COMRIE

HONORING The Reverend Dr. Curtis T. Harding, Jr.
and First Lady Inez L. Harding for their steadfast
and unremitting commitment to St. Albans Baptist
Church after 35 years of devoted service

WHEREAS, The character and richness of religious and community life
in this noble Empire State is 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
recognition and just tribute to those individuals who distinguish
themselves and the ministry through their unremitting commitment and
preeminence of service; 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 Dr. Curtis T. Harding, Jr. and First Lady Inez L. Harding
for their steadfast and unremitting commitment to St. Albans Baptist
Church after 35 years of devoted service to be celebrated on Saturday,
May 4, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Born in Lockland, Ohio, Curtis T. Harding, Jr. and his
parents moved to Brooklyn, New York, where he grew up and attended
public schools; and

WHEREAS, Curtis T. Harding, Jr. was called to preach as a young man
while attending the Alpha Pentecostal Church; he valiantly served in the
United States Air Force for two years, before receiving an Honorable
discharge; and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, Curtis T.
Harding, Jr. began his illustrious 20-year career as a Police Officer;
during this time, he attended the Allen African Methodist Episcopal
Church where he attended Bible seminary and was ordained and served as
an associate minister for five years; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Curtis T. Harding, Jr. was called to pastor
the St. Albans Baptist Church in 1984; he continued the Building Fund
program and broke ground for the new sanctuary in 1985; just two years
later the sanctuary was complete; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to his community, Reverend Dr. Curtis T.
Harding, Jr. is a past president of the Baptist Ministers Conference of
Queens and Vicinity, as well as a member of the Eastern Baptist
Association, Empire Baptist Association, National Baptist USA, Inc., The
American Baptist Churches, and Queens Federation of Churches; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Curtis T. Harding, Jr. holds a Bachelor of
Arts degree from John Jay College and a Masters of Divinity degree from
New York Theological Seminary; in addition, he was bestowed Doctor of
Divinity degrees from Martha's Vineyard Theological Seminary and James
M. Teamer School of Religion; and


WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Curtis T. Harding, Jr. and First Lady Inez L.
Harding have been married for 53 years; today, they are the proud
parents of two children and the loving grandparents of two
grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Curtis T. Harding, Jr. and First Lady Inez L.
Harding have brought to their ministry an overwhelming spirit of charity
and compassion, acting from vision and enlightenment in conducting their
administrative and spiritual duties, while always displaying the highest
standards of personal and professional integrity and dedication; and

WHEREAS, This distinguished man and woman of God have always given
enlightenment, guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to their care
and have administered abundantly and unstintingly to the spiritual and
corporal needs of all; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a person
of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention it is
appropriate to publicly and jubilantly proclaim and commend that
individual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor The Reverend Dr. Curtis T. Harding, Jr. and First Lady Inez L.
Harding for their steadfast and unremitting commitment to St. Albans
Baptist Church after 35 years of devoted service; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Reverend Dr. Curtis T. Harding, Jr. and First Lady
Inez L. Harding, St. Albans Baptist Church.