Senate Resolution No. 483

BY: Senator BROOKS

MOURNING the death of Bishop Frank Otha White,
Senior Pastor of the Zion Cathedral Church in
Freeport, New York, and noted spiritual leader

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 custom of this Legislative Body to applaud the
just recognition of men of the cloth who distinguished themselves and
the ministry through their unremitting commitment and long-standing
preeminence of service; and

WHEREAS, Beloved Senior Pastor of the Zion Cathedral Church of God
in Christ in Freeport, New York, and Prelate of the Third Ecclesiastical
Jurisdiction, Eastern New York, Church of God in Christ, Inc., Bishop
Frank Otha White died on Friday, January 20, 2017, at the age of 76; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his 43 years of pastorate at Zion Cathedral
Church of God in Christ, Bishop Frank Otha White was instrumental in
helping the church's membership grow to 2,500 actively involved
followers in 35 fully operational ministries for children, youth,
adults, singles, couples, senior citizens and the entire family; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Bishop Frank Otha White devotedly spread faith
over more than 500 miles, from the upstate boarders of New York to the
farthest points of Long Island; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Frank Otha White graduated with his Bachelor of
Science degree in Business Administration from Hofstra University and
went on to receive his Doctorate of Sacred Theology from the United
Christian College; and

WHEREAS, This esteemed man served as both a member and leader of
several religious organizations including, the Long Island Council of
Churches and Chairman of the Long Island Conference of Clergy, Pastor of
the Zion Cathedral Church of God in Christ, Chairman of the Board for
the Zion Community Development Corporation and Chief Executive Officer
of the Cedarmore Corporation as well as Prelate of the Third
Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Eastern New York; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Bishop Frank Otha White was appointed to the
Office of Interim Financial Secretary and was later elected to that
position; on November 11, 2008, he was elected to the prestigious
General Board of the Zion Cathedral Church of God in Christ, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his magnanimous career, Bishop Frank Otha White
has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including the
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award by the Freeport Human Relations
Committee, the Church of God in Christ's Highest Tribute, the Bishop
Charles Harrison Mason Award by The Religious Workers Guild, Inc. and

the Frederick Douglas Award by the Long Island Council of African
Americans; and

WHEREAS, Dedicated to his community, Bishop Frank Otha White is a
benefactor of the Freeport High School Scholarship Committee and a
sponsor of the Economic Opportunity Council Summer Basketball Team for
Boys; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his wife of almost 57 years, Dr. Juliet
White, Bishop Frank Otha White is survived by five children and five
grandchildren, as well as numerous other family members; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Frank Otha White's legacy will live forever, not
only in the many lives he has touched, but in the good works he has left
behind; his words extended far and wide beyond the boundaries of a
church building, city limits, state lines, and the United States shores;
and

WHEREAS, A genuine friend of the ecclesiastical society which he
served, a highly respected colleague in civic circles, and a trusted,
deeply influential dignitary in the holy chambers of the Pentecostal
priesthood, Bishop Frank Otha White will be remembered by the residents
of Freeport and the State of New York as a whole; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to celebrate the
life of this esteemed religious leader who accepted the responsibilities
of moral leadership and who dedicated his life to serving others; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Bishop Frank Otha White, as well as rejoice in his
life, noting his unremitting and compassionate faith to his service to
God, man and his community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Bishop Frank Otha White.