LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Bishop Charles Leslie Norris, Sr. upon
the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the
highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Bishop Charles
Leslie Norris, Sr. upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the
New York State Senate, to be celebrated at his 90th Birthday Extravagan-
za "The Celebration of Living" on Saturday, August 13, 2016, at Robert
Ross Johnson Family Life Centre, Saint Albans, New York; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, A resident of St. Albans, New York, Bishop Charles Leslie
Norris, Sr. serves as the Pastor Emeritus of The Bethesda Missionary
Baptist Church, Jamaica, New York; and
WHEREAS, After being called to the ministry, Charles Leslie Norris,
Sr. began his illustrious religious career in 1972, when he was
selected to lead the newly organized Bethesda Church after the untimely
death of its founder; and
WHEREAS, On May 3, 1973, Charles Leslie Norris, Sr. was unanimously
elected Pastor of the Church and immediately began negotiations with the
owners of the property, First Presbyterian Church of Jamaica, to
purchase their Hillside Center at 179-09 Jamaica Avenue where they had
been worshipping; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, Bishop Charles Leslie Norris, Sr. has
been instrumental in developing and implementing numerous outreach and
ministerial services which include mentoring several well known minis-
ters for church leadership throughout the country, establishing programs
for victims of AIDS and initiating voluntary services to feed the home-
less; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his magnanimous career, Bishop Charles Leslie
Norris, Sr. has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades for
his support of community causes and his fight for human rights and
dignity; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, On Sunday, August 4, 1985, The Educational and
Theological Consortium of the Eastern United States presented Bishop
Charles Leslie Norris, Sr. with an Honorary Doctor of Divinity and on
June 19, 2010, the title of Bishop was bestowed upon him by the Grace
Saving Ministry; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to his community, Bishop Charles Leslie Norris, Sr.
served as a member of the York College President Advisory Counsel and
the Human Rights Commission of New York City; he also held the title of
Chairman of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission of Queens County; and
WHEREAS, Currently, this exceptional spiritual leader continues his
active membership as trustee of many worthy organizations such as the
NAACP and Clergy United for Community Empowerment, Inc., where he serves
as Executive Secretary; and

WHEREAS, Singular in distinction is Bishop Charles Leslie Norris, Sr.,
whose service to his church and his people, as well as his involvement
in his community mirror a commitment of compelling dimension; he contin-
ues to be outspoken on issues which demand the spiritual community to
focus on its duties: "To empower the community for economic growth and
development, as well as provide youth with a foundation and vision for
moral, spiritual and responsible leadership"; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout has been his wife, the former Arnella
Anesta; his two sons, Keith and Charles II; and his five grandchildren,
Zoe, Keisha, Amber, Charles III and Jason; as well as one great-grand-
child, Keith Alexander II, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of
his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Individuals such as Bishop Charles Leslie Norris, Sr.,
devoted to improving the quality of life for others, enabling them to
build lives of dignity and self-worth, are deserving of the highest
praise and recognition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Bishop Charles Leslie Norris, Sr. upon the occasion of his desig-
nation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon
an individual by the New York State Senate, to be celebrated at his 90th
Birthday Extravaganza "The Celebration of Living" on Saturday, August
13, 2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Bishop Charles Leslie Norris, Sr.