LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Reverend Mack H. Smith, Jr. upon the
occasion of his retirement after 31 years of devoted service to Trinity
Evangelical Lutheran Church

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 recog-
nition and just tribute to those individuals who distinguished them-
selves and the ministry through their unremitting commitment and preemi-
nence of service; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Reverend Mack
H. Smith, Jr. upon the occasion of his retirement after 31 years of
devoted service to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, to be celebrated
on Friday, June 8, 2012, at the Sheraton Long Island Hotel in Hauppauge,
New York; and
WHEREAS, The oldest of nine children, Reverend Mack H. Smith, Jr. was
born January 31, 1952, in Rochester, New York, to the late Mack and
Beatrice Smith, Sr.; he graduated from East High School in 1970, from
Roberts Wesleyan College in 1976, and from the Lutheran Theological
Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1980; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Mack H. Smith, Jr. served his internship at St.
Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church in White Plains, New York, under
the tutelage of the Reverend Dr. Frederick Schumacher from 1978-1979;
and
WHEREAS, For the past 31 years, he has faithfully served as Pastor of
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wyandanch, Long Island, New York;
and
WHEREAS, Reverend Mack H. Smith, Jr. brought to his ministry an over-
whelming 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 profes-
sional integrity and dedication; and
WHEREAS, One of Reverend Mack H. Smith, Jr.'s greatest joys was the
Trinity After School Pride Program (T.A.P.P.); in this ministry he
focused on empowering young, at-risk youth to seek personal management
skills to achieve their goals; he also prepared many youth both in the
congregation and Wyandanch community with practical education skills
that would empower them to beat the odds where others failed; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Mack H. Smith, Jr.'s other involvements included:
Project Connect; Campformation; Lutheran Summer Conference-Silver Bay;
Pinecrest Lutheran Leadership School; Camp Wilbur Herrlich; Black
Pastor's Group of Metro NY Synod; Suffolk County Council Boy Scouts of
America; and Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church After School Program;
and
WHEREAS, A valued member of his community, Reverend Mack H. Smith, Jr.
was the recipient of numerous awards and accolades; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God always gave enlightenment,
guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and 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 indi-
vidual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Reverend Mack H. Smith, Jr. upon the occasion of his retirement
after 31 years of devoted service to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran
Church, noting his unremitting and compassionate faith and his exemplary
service to God, man, and his community, and extending to him the heart-
felt 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 tran-
smitted to Reverend Mack H. Smith, Jr.