LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending The Reverend Russell T. Marquis of
Shiloh Baptist Church of Jamaica, New York, upon the occasion of cele-
brating his 10th Anniversary of 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 recog-
nition 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 The Reverend
Russell Marquis, of Shiloh Baptist Church of Jamaica, New York, upon the
occasion of celebrating his 10th Anniversary of service; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Russell T. Marquis is the fourth of five children
born to Jennie and the late Rudolph B. Marquis in the Bronx, New York;
he attended New York City public schools, earned a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Psychology at Iona College, New Rochelle, New York, and a
Master of Divinity degree in Theology at Drew University Theological
School, Madison, New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Russell T. Marquis was baptized at Mount Carmel
Baptist Church, Bronx, New York, in April 1986; he served as an Associ-
ate Minister at Mount Carmel, under the pastorate of The Reverend Antho-
ny Lowe, before moving on to Concord Baptist Church of Christ in Brook-
lyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Marquis answered the call to ministry in 1991; he
preached his trial sermon on January 14, 1996, and was fully ordained to
the gospel on July 26, 1998, by the United Missionary Baptist Associ-
ation, National Baptist Convention; and
WHEREAS, In August 1996, Reverend Russell T. Marquis was invited by
Senior Pastor Dr. Gary V. Simpson to serve as a student minister at
Concord Baptist Church; he endeared himself to the congregation and was
asked to stay on as Associate Pastor, Youth Pastor and Administrative
Pastor from 1998 to 2004; and
WHEREAS, In March 2004, Shiloh Baptist Church of Jamaica, the oldest
African-American Baptist congregation in Jamaica, New York, extended the
call to pastor to Reverend Russell T. Marquis; he accepted and, on
September 26, 2004, was installed as Shiloh Baptist Church of Jamaica's
eighth pastor in 133 years of ministry; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Russell T. Marquis 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 profes-
sional integrity and dedication; and
WHEREAS, As pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church of Jamaica, Reverend
Russell T. Marquis has implemented several ministries to better serve
the church: he created a gender-inclusive deaconate ministry, ordaining
deaconesses and deacons, launched a Youth Summit, and initiated a
church-wide 40 Days of Purpose campaign; he also led many workshops,
including a Deacons and Trustees Leadership Retreat, a Church-wide Lead-
ership Workshop, and a Strategic Planning Ministry Workshop; and
WHEREAS, Under Reverend Russell T. Marquis's guidance, significant
enhancements have been made to the church building; a wheelchair lift
and a stair lift were installed for greater physical accessibility, the
church pews were refurbished, and a portable baptismal pool was
acquired, allowing baptism to take place in the sanctuary; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his outstanding work as pastor of Shiloh
Baptist Church of Jamaica, Reverend Russell T. Marquis has given of his
time and talents to several organizations and causes; he served as the
Financial Secretary of the Brooklyn & Long Island Baptist Pastor and
Churches Union, was the Vice President of Empowered Queens United in
Action and Leadership (EQUAL), a local organizing group of Metro Indus-
trial Areas Foundation consisting of several congregations in Jamaica &
Sunnyside, New York; he is also an active pastor in the Eastern Baptist
Association of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., as well as a
contributor to UPSCALE magazine; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Russell T. Marquis has earned recognition for his
ministry gifts and work in the community; while attending Drew Universi-
ty he received the prestigious Steele award because of his ability to
minister in a multicultural setting, and in 2003, he received the Rever-
end Dr. Gardner C. Taylor Community Service Award; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Russell T. Marquis has been accompanied throughout
by his wife, Martrice Miles-Marquis; they are the adoring parents of six
year old Julius Terence; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God has always given enlightenment,
guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and has adminis-
tered 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
commend The Reverend Russell Marquis of Shiloh Baptist Church of Jamai-
ca, New York, upon the occasion of celebrating his 10th Anniversary of
service, noting his unremitting and compassionate faith and his exem-
plary service to God, man, and his community, and extending to him the
heartfelt best wishes of this Legislative Body for a future of purpose-
ful success and well-being; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Reverend Russell T. Marquis.