Senate Resolution No. 2397

BY: Senator MAYER

COMMENDING Pastor Cecilio Edwards upon the
occasion of his 15th Pastoral Anniversary to be
celebrated on May 25, 2024

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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Pastor
Cecilio Edwards upon the occasion of his 15th Pastoral Anniversary to be
celebrated on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at Shiloh Baptist Church,
Tuckahoe, New York; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his Pastoral Anniversary, Elder Cecilio
Edwards will also be celebrating his Birthday at this esteemed event;
and

WHEREAS, Elder Cecilio Edwards, a humble true Man of God, was born
in Panama, Central America, where he attended a Baptist Church and was
thought to have the wisdom of an old man by his beloved grandmother,
Teresa Mathurin; and

WHEREAS, At the age of 11, his parents relocated to the Bronx, New
York, and Cecilio Edwards attended William Howard Taft High School; and

WHEREAS, Fluent in English and Spanish, Cecilio Edwards enlisted in
the United States Army in 1976; he completed his high school diploma in
Monterey, California, and proudly served his country for four years
before being honorably discharged in 1980; and

WHEREAS, Elder Cecilio Edwards married the love of his life, Wanda,
in December of 1980, and joined the Pressley Memorial Church of God in
Christ, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, The Supervisor Emeritus of the 4th ENY Ecclesiastical
Jurisdiction and Pastor Willie Lee Brown's wife, Mother Vera E. Brown,
adopted him as one of her sons; under the leadership of Pastor and
Mother Brown, Elder Cecilio Edwards was appointed a Deacon, Minister,
and Sunday School teacher; and

WHEREAS, A profound teacher of the Word of God, Cecilio Edwards was
ordained an Elder in 1992 by the late Bishop John P. Lee, Sr.; after the
death of Pastor Willie Lee Brown in 2008, Elder Cecilio Edwards was
installed as Pastor of Pressley Memorial Church of God in Christ where
he tirelessly continued the work of the ministry, providing help,
showing Godly love, visiting the sick, praying and fasting, and feeding
the hungry and less fortunate; and


WHEREAS, Elder Cecilio Edwards attended Lehman College from 1980 to
1983, and O.M. Kelly Bible Institute in the early 1990s; he was
gainfully employed by New York City MTA for 25 years before retiring in
May of 2020; and

WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God has brought to his ministry
an overwhelming spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and
enlightenment in conducting his administrative and spiritual duties,
while always displaying the highest standards of personal and
professional integrity and dedication; and

WHEREAS, Elder Cecilio Edwards has always given enlightenment,
guidance, and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and has
administered abundantly and unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal
needs of all; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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
commend Elder Cecilio Edwards upon the occasion of his 15th Pastoral
Anniversary, noting his unremitting and compassionate faith and his
exemplary service to God, man, and his community, and extending to him
the heartfelt best wishes of this Legislative Body for a future of
purposeful success and well-being; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Elder Cecilio Edwards.