Bill Text: GA SR504 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Enrolled

Georgia Senate Resolution 504 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta; recognize

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)

Status: (Passed) 2009-03-09 - House Read and Adopted [SR504 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2009-SR504-Enrolled.html

09 LC 94 0978

Senate Resolution 504

By: Senators Orrock of the 36th, Reed of the 35th, Jones of the 10th, Tate of the 38th, Fort of the 39th and others

ADOPTED SENATE

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing and commending Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Ebenezer Baptist Church was founded in 1886 by Reverend John A. Parker, and the original site of the church was a box-like structure on Airline Street; and

WHEREAS, in 1894, Reverend Alfred Daniel Williams became head pastor and among the first of his many great achievements on behalf of the church was to increase the congregation size and build a new church on McGruder Street; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Williams' daughter, Alberta Christine Williams, married Reverend Martin Luther King, Sr., and their loving union produced Christine King Farris, Alfred Daniel Williams King, and Martin Luther King, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Reverend King, Sr., joined Reverend Williams as copastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, and the two worked tirelessly for equal rights for their parishioners as well as the community, by leading efforts to build the first high school in Atlanta for African Americans and equalizing salaries for teachers; and

WHEREAS, two of the King children, Alfred and Martin Luther, Jr., served as copastors of Ebenezer Baptist Church alongside their father; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s work with the church led to his worldwide prophetic ministry and role in the Civil Rights movement, and Alfred Daniel Williams King founded Ebenezer's Children's Chapel, dedicated to biblical education, spiritual enrichment, and oratorical training for congregation members ages five through 12; and

WHEREAS, in 1975, Reverend Dr. Joseph Lawrence Roberts, Jr., began his 30 year service to Ebenezer Baptist Church, and under his direction, the church added more than 2,000 members; and

WHEREAS, during Reverend Roberts' years with Ebenezer Baptist Church he launched many community programs including a teen mother's ministry, a tutoring program, counseling services, a senior's day care center, and a food cooperative; and

WHEREAS, upon Reverend Roberts' retirement in 2005, Reverend Raphael Gamaliel Warnock began his pastorate with Ebenezer Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, a pastor with deep scholarly interests, Reverend Warnock brings with him rich experience from his time as Associate Minister at Birmingham's Sixth Avenue Baptist Church, Assistant Pastor of Harlem's Abyssinian Baptist Church, and Senior Pastor of Baltimore's Douglas Memorial Community Church; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Warnock provides the congregation with a holistic ministry perspective and sets the tone for a ministry that evangelizes the sinner; and

WHEREAS, the history of Ebenezer Baptist Church is of great significance and importance to the State of Georgia as well as the nation and is worthy of appropriate recognition.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that the members of this body commend Ebenezer Baptist Church for its rich history and traditions and recognize the many outstanding contributions made by its members to their community, state, and country.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Ebenezer Baptist Church.