Honor Reverend Comithier's 30th Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 107 BY: Senator BRESLIN COMMENDING Reverend Leonard D. Comithier, Jr. upon the occasion of his 30th Anniversary to be celebrated on November 18, 2016 WHEREAS, The character and richness of religious and community life in this noble Empire State are nourished and fulfilled through the faithful concern and selfless devotion of those who commit their energies and purpose to the ministry of others; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to bring full recognition and just tribute to individuals who distinguish themselves and the ministry through their unremitting commitment and preeminence of service; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Reverend Leonard D. Comithier, Jr. upon the occasion of his 30th Anniversary to be celebrated at the "The Watchman and The Workman" Reception and Banquet on Friday, November 18, 2016 at the Albany Marriott, Albany, New York; and WHEREAS, Throughout the past 30 years, Reverend Leonard D. Comithier, Jr. has brought unparalleled leadership to the Macedonia Baptist Church, faith community and the Capital District as a whole; and WHEREAS, As Pastor of the Macedonia Baptist Church, Reverend Leonard D. Comithier, Jr. initiated numerous positive social, spiritual, and economic changes which have greatly benefitted the people within his community as well as the state of New York; and WHEREAS, Born in Catskill, New York, to the late Deacon Leonard Comithier, Sr. and Lucinda Brewer Comithier, Leonard D. Comithier, Jr. graduated from Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School System and was a faithful member of the Riverview Baptist Church of Coeymans, New York; and WHEREAS, After high school, he studied at both West Virginia State College and the College of Saint Rose; he then followed in his father's footsteps and attended the New York Theological Seminary; and WHEREAS, Reverend Leonard D. Comithier, Jr. received his New York State Certification in Special Education, Elementary Education and School Administration and Supervision and completed post-graduate courses at the State University of Albany; and WHEREAS, In 1986, Reverend Leonard D. Comithier, Jr. was installed as Pastor of the Macedonia Baptist Church, after a successful pastorate at the Second Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Pittsfield, Massachusetts; and WHEREAS, Throughout his long-established career, Leonard D. Comithier, Jr. held numerous leadership positions including, Director and Coordinator of Ministerial Services and Faith-based Programs for the NYS Office of Children and Family services, President of the Baptist Ministers Alliance of the Capital Area, and Moderator of the Hudson River Frontier Missionary Baptist Association, as well as Vice-President of the Empire Baptist Missionary Convention of New York State African American Clergy United for Empowerment; and WHEREAS, In addition to his role as spiritual leader, Reverend Leonard D. Comithier, Jr. is committed to helping his beloved community; he initiated Project 90 Building Project, established both the Macedonia Community Development Corporation and the Macedonia Rites of Passage Program (ROPES) and founded a Health Ministry to promote awareness of health issues relevant to the African-American community; and WHEREAS, This remarkable public servant also partnered with Whitney Young Health Center to deliver information to the community, developed and enhanced the Macedonia Scholarship Fund to provide monetary support and scholarships for the continuation of academic excellence for African-American and Latino-American youth in the Capital District, and established the Macedonia Backpack Program which provides nonperishable food items to children; and WHEREAS, In 2015, Reverend Leonard D. Comithier, Jr. was named Pastor of the Year and was appointed to the Board of Directors for the National Baptist Convention USA; under his exceptional guidance, the Macedonia Baptist Church was named Church of the Year by the Empire Baptist Missionary Convention of New York State; 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 commend Reverend Leonard D. Comithier, Jr. upon the occasion of his 30th Anniversary to be celebrated on November 18, 2016, noting his unremitting and compassionate faith and his exemplary service to God, man, and his community, and extending to him heartfelt best wishes for a future of continued purposeful success and well-being; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Reverend Leonard D. Comithier, Jr.