Senate Resolution No. 2202

BY: Senator BRESLIN

COMMENDING Israel African Methodist Episcopal
Church upon the occasion of its designation for
special recognition by the African American Cultural
Center of the Capital Region, Inc. on September 27,
2019

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 is justly proud to commend Israel
African Methodist Episcopal Church upon the occasion of its designation
for special recognition by the African American Cultural Center of the
Capital Region, Inc. to be celebrated at its 1st Annual Gala on Friday,
September 27, 2019, at Treviso by Mallozzi's in Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, Israel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church is being
honored for its tireless efforts to further the African American
Cultural Center of the Capital Region's mission of strengthening
communities by fostering unity, self-determination, cooperative
economics, collective work, and creativity; and

WHEREAS, Organized in 1828, by Richard Allen, Israel AME Church has
served the African-American community of New York's Capital Region for
almost 200 years by promoting Christian beliefs through church and
community service as well as educational projects and programs; and

WHEREAS, In that same year, Reverend William Cornish was assigned to
the City of Albany to organize African Americans under the motto of the
founding fathers "God our Father, Christ our redeemer, man our brother";
in April of 1829, the Israel AME Church was incorporated; and

WHEREAS, The present Church was designed and built between 1845 and
1854 by Reverend Thomas Jackson who served as Pastor for 11 years; since
its inception, more than 70 pastors have served this historic AME
Church; and

WHEREAS, During the Civil War, the Israel AME Church served as a
station on the Underground Railroad, assisting enslaved people in their
struggle for freedom and freed men and women in their spiritual
struggle; in fact, Harriet Tubman slept in the Church and Fredrick
Douglass spoke in it; and

WHEREAS, Later, the Albany, New York Chapter of the NAACP was
founded at Israel AME Church, and is but one demonstration of the
church's community involvement which continues today through its
ministries which include the soup kitchen, food pantry, voter education,
evangelism, missionary work, and various youth, young adult and senior
citizen programs; and


WHEREAS, The Israel AME Church is truly enriched by its historical
background and core values which are based on the need for freedoms of
expression, religion, treatment with dignity, and the right to own and
operate a religious establishment; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those
religious institutions which enhance the well-being and vitality of its
community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence
certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Israel African Methodist Episcopal Church upon the occasion of
its designation for special recognition by the African American Cultural
Center of the Capital Region, Inc. on September 27, 2019; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Israel African Methodist Episcopal Church.