LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Reverend Dr. Henry T. Simmons upon the
occasion of celebrating 40 years in Church Ministry

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 service 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 Reverend Dr.
Henry T. Simmons upon the occasion of celebrating 40 years in Church
Ministry; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Henry T. Simmons was born and raised in High
Point, North Carolina; he graduated from North Carolina Central Univer-
sity with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, and also holds a
Master of Divinity degree from Howard University; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed man of God began his ordained life as Associate
Minister of the Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ in Wash-
ington, DC in 1974; after serving ably in this capacity, he was then
called to serve as Senior Minister of the Mayflower Congregational
Church in Detroit, Michigan in 1977; and
WHEREAS, In 1983 Reverend Dr. Henry T. Simmons began work at the
national level with United Church of Christ as Secretary for Ethnic and
Minority Ministries; his contributions were vital in renewing existing
urban churches and assisting with new church development for African
American, Latino-Latina, Pacific Islander/Asian American, and American
Indian churches; and
WHEREAS, In 1991, Reverend Dr. Henry T. Simmons began his more than 20
years of service as Senior Minister of the St. Albans Congregational
Church, United Church of Christ; under his luminous leadership the
congregation has witnessed significant growth in worship attendance,
membership, financial stewardship and ministry capacity, with 52 minis-
tries currently serving the church and community; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Henry T. Simmons has brought to his congregation
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, Reverend Dr. Henry T. Simmons has received many awards and
accolades including a Rockefeller Fellowship from the Fund for Theolog-
ical Education, and citations for outstanding ministerial leadership
from the Michigan State Legislature, the Detroit City Council, and the
New York City Council; he holds two honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees
for contributions to racial and social justice from Ursinus College and
Huston-Tillotson College; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his loving wife, Gayle, their
son, Aaron, daughter-in-law, Taiya, and two grandsons, Christon and
Tyler, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice
in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, In addition to spending time with his family, Reverend Dr.
Henry T. Simmons enjoys painting, sketching, playing trumpet/cornet,
tennis, reading, and collecting art and musical instruments from the
African Diaspora; 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 Reverend Dr. Henry T. Simmons upon the occasion of celebrating
40 years in Church Ministry, noting his unremitting and compassionate
faith and his exemplary service to God, man, and his community, and
extending to him the heartfelt best wishes 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 Dr. Henry T. Simmons.