S*1029 Concurrent Resolution, By Matthews
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND REVEREND WILLIE BATES, JR., FOR HIS THIRTY
 YEARS OF DEDICATED LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE AS PASTOR OF ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH
 IN ORANGEBURG COUNTY AND TO PRAY FOR THE LORD'S CONTINUED BLESSING OF REVEREND
 BATES AND HIS CONGREGATION.

   02/19/02  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-6
   02/20/02  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence HJ-4

TO COMMEND REVEREND WILLIE BATES, JR., FOR HIS THIRTY YEARS OF DEDICATED LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE AS PASTOR OF ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH IN ORANGEBURG COUNTY AND TO PRAY FOR THE LORD'S CONTINUED BLESSING OF REVEREND BATES AND HIS CONGREGATION.

Whereas, Reverend Willie Bates, Jr., is a dedicated servant of the Lord and his fellow man and is a true blessing to his church, the people of Orangeburg County, and to the State of South Carolina; and

Whereas, Reverend Bates was born in Ridgeway, South Carolina, the son of the late Reverend and Mrs. Willie Bates, Sr., and was the oldest of nine children; and

Whereas, Reverend Bates and his beloved wife, Alice, are the proud parents of their son, Michael Baretta Bates, and they now reside in Columbia, South Carolina; and

Whereas, Willie Bates, Jr., attended public school in Fairfield County and is a graduate of Fairfield High School; he continued his studies at a number of institutions including Benedict College, Columbia Bible College, Midland Technical College, and the Morris College of Religion; and

Whereas, Reverend Bates is the owner of A&L Brick and Window Cleaning Service of Columbia and is a member of Columbia's #580 Masonic Lodge; and

Whereas, Reverend Bates has served as Pastor to the Antioch Baptist Church in Bowman, South Carolina, for thirty years, and his tenure at the church can best be described as one of unprecedented growth and accomplishments during which time Antioch Baptist Church has expanded and improved every aspect of its physical building and spiritual mission; and

Whereas, Reverend Willie Bates, through his trust and love of God Almighty, has led Antioch Baptist Church through many years of tribulation and triumph; his dynamic personality and strength of character has helped the congregation meet its goals of paying off two mortgages on the church and developing many new choirs and organizations; and

Whereas, Reverend Bates and the Antioch Baptist Church are recognized as symbols of the Civil Rights movement in South Carolina, and under Rev. Bates' direction the church and its members have remained committed to their roles of spiritual, civic, and moral leadership in the community; and

Whereas, Reverend Willie Bates' motto, "do all you can while you can for the upbuilding of God's Kingdom," is a clear and accurate description of how he has lived, and the people of Orangeburg County, along with the rest of the Palmetto State, are forever grateful to Rev. Bates for his exemplary service and leadership over the past thirty years. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, commend Reverend Willie Bates, Jr., for his thirty years of dedicated leadership and service as Pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Orangeburg County and pray for the Lord's continued blessing of Reverend Bates and his congregation.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Willie Bates, Jr.