LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Westbury
Gospel Tabernacle of Westbury, New York, to be celebrated June 21-28,
2015

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 takes pleasure in commemorating the
50th Anniversary of Westbury Gospel Tabernacle of Westbury, New York, to
be celebrated with a series of events from June 21-28, 2015; and
WHEREAS, The week-long festivities will include services with several
esteemed religious leaders, including Bishop Roderick Caesar, Bishop-E-
lect Reverend Jacqueline McCullough, Pastor and Mrs. Stephen Samuel,
Bishop-Elect Reverend Sheldon B. Ferguson, and Reverend Ronald Wilson;
and
WHEREAS, Westbury Gospel Tabernacle is a branch of Church of Bethel
Gospel Tabernacle, Inc. located in Jamaica, Queens, New York, and led by
Bishop Roderick R. Caesar; and
WHEREAS, During the 1960s, Bishop Roderick Caesar, Sr. founded West-
bury Gospel Tabernacle with the cooperation of dedicated leaders and
faithful members; this dynamic religious institution humbly began in a
concrete garage and repair shop on Prospect Avenue; and
WHEREAS, Five decades later, Westbury Gospel Tabernacle stands as a
beautiful house of worship serving the New Cassel community and through-
out Nassau County; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, numerous leaders and members have served
Westbury Gospel Tabernacle with distinction; in 1997, Bishop Roderick R.
Caesar installed Reverend Stephen Samuel as Senior Pastor of Westbury
Gospel Tabernacle, a position he continues to hold with the loving
support of his family, church leaders, and the congregation; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Pastor Stephen Samuel, West-
bury Gospel Tabernacle stands on the threshold of tomorrow, prepared to
meet the challenges of the coming decades while retaining that spiritual
resolve which characterizes its past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Westbury Gospel Tabernacle, fully
confident that this commemoration reflects the belief in those values
which enhance the dignity and purpose of life; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Pastor Stephen Samuel, Westbury Gospel Tabernacle.