Bill Text: NY J00462 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulating The Reverend John E. Davis upon the occasion of his retirement after more than four decades of devoted service to the ministry

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-03-09 - ADOPTED [J00462 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-J00462-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 462

BY: Senator COMRIE

        CONGRATULATING The Reverend John E. Davis upon the
        occasion  of  his  retirement  after  more than four
        decades of devoted service to the ministry

  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  sense  of this Legislative Body to bring full
recognition and  just  tribute  to  those  individuals  who  distinguish
themselves  and  the  ministry  through their unremitting commitment and
preeminence of service; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
congratulate The Reverend  John  E.  Davis  upon  the  occasion  of  his
retirement  after  more  than  four  decades  of  devoted service to the
ministry; and

  WHEREAS, John E. Davis was born in Jacksonville, Florida on November
15, 1927, to the late Ernest Davis and Evangelist Janie  L.  Davis;  the
family  then  relocated  to  Augusta,  Georgia, where he was a member of
Trinity C.M.E Church, and attended P. H.  Craig  Elementary  School  and
Haines Normal Industrial Institute (NII); and

  WHEREAS, A star athlete and member of Haines NII Class of 1947, John
E.    Davis  was  the  quarterback  on the Football team, a guard on the
Basketball team and ran the 100-yard dash on the Track team; and

  WHEREAS, John E. Davis and the former Eula Johnson  were  joined  in
Holy  Matrimony in 1949, and from their union, three children were born;
in 1952, this young family moved to Brooklyn, New York, where he  became
the  production manager for Biljoy Creations, a nationwide bridal house;
and

  WHEREAS, In 1954, John E. Davis joined the Mt. Zion  Baptist  Church
where  he  served  as  a  Trustee  and eventually became Chairperson; in
addition, he gave tirelessly of his  time  and  energies  to  the  Youth
Department  for  25  years,  directing the choir and establishing the J.
Davis Choral Ensemble; and

  WHEREAS, Called to the ministry in 1962 at  his  aunt's  funeral  in
Jacksonville,  Florida,  John  E.  Davis  did  not answer the call until
January 29, 1977, when he became empowered to do His will and preach the
unadulterated gospel; and

  WHEREAS, Reverend John E. Davis was licensed at the Mt. Zion Baptist
Church by Reverend Alvin Barnett, and preached his first sermon on  June
3, 1977; and

  WHEREAS,  On  December  12,  1979, Reverend John E. Davis joined the
Brooklyn Baptist Evangelical Union where  he  served  as  financial  and

recording  secretary;  during  this  time,  he also attended the Eastern
Baptist School of Religion for two years; and

  WHEREAS,   With   a  steadfast  and  unwavering  commitment  to  his
community, Reverend John E. Davis has provided vital Christian  services
as  a  member  of the South-East Queens Clergy For Community Empowerment
(SQCCE), and as past president of the Baptist Ministers  of  Queens  and
Vicinity; and

  WHEREAS,  In  1991,  Reverend John E. Davis was called to Pastor the
Greater St. John's Baptist Church, where under his able leadership, many
new members have joined the Church,  the  sick  have  been  healed,  new
auxiliaries have been organized, Deacons have been ordained, Deaconesses
have been set aside, and a Minister has been licensed; and

  WHEREAS, Furthermore, Reverend John E. Davis was instrumental in the
church's  growth both spiritually and financially; the mortgage was paid
off in just two and  half  years  on  August  29,  1993,  and  extensive
physical  work  has been done to expand the building to fit the needs of
the growing congregation; and

  WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife of 62  years,  Eula,
and  their three children, Valencia, John Jr. and Sharon, as well as six
grandchildren, Alia, Alexis, Dana, Danielle, John  Harrison  and  Kylie,
and seven great-grandchildren, Dominique, Marissa, Courtney, Alia, Kyle,
Austin  and  Aaron, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life
and rejoice in his many achievements; and

  WHEREAS, Reverend John E. Davis  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 custom 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
congratulate   Reverend  John  E.  Davis,  noting  his  unremitting  and
compassionate faith and his exemplary  service  to  God,  man,  and  his
community,  and  extending  to  him  the  heartfelt  best wishes of this
Legislative Body for a future of purposeful success and well-being;  and
be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Reverend John E. Davis.