Senate Resolution No. 1311

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Reverend Leonard D. Comithier, Jr. upon
the occasion of his designation as recipient of the
Reverend Joyce Steinkraus Giles Pastoral Service
Award by the Capital Area Council of Churches on
October 13, 2021

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve
the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration
and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Leonard D. Comithier, Jr. has given not only of
his time and energies but also of his competence, intelligence and
leadership and consequently has been designated for special recognition;
and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor The Reverend
Leonard D. Comithier, Jr. upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the Reverend Joyce Steinkraus Giles Pastoral Service Award
by the Capital Area Council of Churches, to be celebrated at its Fall
Awards Assembly Dinner on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at the Italian
American Community Center, Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, Founded in 1941, the Capital Area Council of Churches
(CACC) is a fellowship of more than 90 faith communities in the Capital
District; and

WHEREAS, This vital organization provides a wide range of services
and programs dedicated to bringing congregations together in solidarity
to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and provide ecumenical and
interreligious education, advocacy and worship; and

WHEREAS, CACC also offers a range of interfaith worship services,
celebrations and forums such as Ecumenical Witnesses of Baptism, the
Good Friday service and an annual musical celebration; and

WHEREAS, The Reverend Joyce Steinkraus Giles Pastoral Service Award
is named for the late Reverend Joyce Steinkraus Giles who served the
CACC as Executive Director from 1977-1986; this esteemed award pays
tribute to those who have been outstanding in the pastoral ministry as
well as exemplifying racial, gender and denominational inclusiveness;
Reverend Leonard D. Comithier, Jr. is truly deserving of this accolade;
and

WHEREAS, A nationally renowned preacher and teacher, Reverend
Leonard D. Comithier, Jr. has served as Pastor of the Macedonia Baptist
Church for more than three decades; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Leonard D. Comithier, Jr. 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
professional integrity and dedication; and

WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God has always given
enlightenment, guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and
has administered 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
individual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Reverend Leonard D. Comithier, Jr. upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Reverend Joyce Steinkraus Giles Pastoral
Service Award by the Capital Area Council of Churches on October 13,
2021; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Reverend Leonard D. Comithier, Jr.