S*0881 Concurrent Resolution, By Ford
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND BISHOP HAMEL HARTFORD
 BROOKINS FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED CAREER AS A MINISTER AND BISHOP OF THE AME
 CHURCH UPON HIS RETIREMENT.

   01/29/04  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-4
   02/03/04  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence HJ-9

TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND BISHOP HAMEL HARTFORD BROOKINS FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED CAREER AS A MINISTER AND BISHOP OF THE AME CHURCH UPON HIS RETIREMENT.

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly have learned that Bishop Hamel Hartford Brookins is retiring as a minister and Bishop of the AME Church; and

Whereas, Bishop Brookins was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi, and received a B.A. degree from Wilberforce University and a B.D. degree from Payne Seminary; and

Whereas, elected at the 1972 General Conference held in Dallas, Bishop Brookins was assigned to the 17th Episcopal District. He participated in the 6th Pan African World Congress in 1974. He also served and revitalized the 5th Episcopal District by purchasing and building new churches, sending ministers to organize new churches in southern California, and establishing an Economic Development Fund for the district; and

Whereas, prior to his election to the bishopric, Bishop Brookins pastured First AME Church in Log Angeles, where he built a magnificent cathedral. He also served as the first African American president of the Wichita Ministerial Alliance, manager and advisor to Thomas Bradley, Mayor of Los Angeles, president of the SCLC Western Region, and vice president of Operation PUSH. He also founded the Martin Luther King Student Fund; and organized the first Interfaith Service at the Hollywood Bowl; and

Whereas, he also served in the 2nd, 12th, and 13th Episcopal Districts and held the position of Ecumenical Officer; and

Whereas, Bishop Brookins is married to Rosalyn Kyle Brookins and has three children; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, would like to congratulate this truly wonderful man of God for all he has done for his fellowman upon his retirement. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly hereby recognize and commend Bishop Hamel Hartford Brookins for his distinguished career as a minister and Bishop of the AME Church upon his retirement.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Bishop Brookins.