Honor Bishop Frank White

Senate Resolution No. 483 BY: Senator BROOKS MOURNING the death of Bishop Frank Otha White, Senior Pastor of the Zion Cathedral Church in Freeport, New York, and noted spiritual leader 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 custom of this Legislative Body to applaud the just recognition of men of the cloth who distinguished themselves and the ministry through their unremitting commitment and long-standing preeminence of service; and WHEREAS, Beloved Senior Pastor of the Zion Cathedral Church of God in Christ in Freeport, New York, and Prelate of the Third Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, Eastern New York, Church of God in Christ, Inc., Bishop Frank Otha White died on Friday, January 20, 2017, at the age of 76; and WHEREAS, Throughout his 43 years of pastorate at Zion Cathedral Church of God in Christ, Bishop Frank Otha White was instrumental in helping the church's membership grow to 2,500 actively involved followers in 35 fully operational ministries for children, youth, adults, singles, couples, senior citizens and the entire family; and WHEREAS, In addition, Bishop Frank Otha White devotedly spread faith over more than 500 miles, from the upstate boarders of New York to the farthest points of Long Island; and WHEREAS, Bishop Frank Otha White graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Hofstra University and went on to receive his Doctorate of Sacred Theology from the United Christian College; and WHEREAS, This esteemed man served as both a member and leader of several religious organizations including, the Long Island Council of Churches and Chairman of the Long Island Conference of Clergy, Pastor of the Zion Cathedral Church of God in Christ, Chairman of the Board for the Zion Community Development Corporation and Chief Executive Officer of the Cedarmore Corporation as well as Prelate of the Third Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Eastern New York; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, Bishop Frank Otha White was appointed to the Office of Interim Financial Secretary and was later elected to that position; on November 11, 2008, he was elected to the prestigious General Board of the Zion Cathedral Church of God in Christ, Inc.; and WHEREAS, Throughout his magnanimous career, Bishop Frank Otha White has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award by the Freeport Human Relations Committee, the Church of God in Christ's Highest Tribute, the Bishop Charles Harrison Mason Award by The Religious Workers Guild, Inc. and the Frederick Douglas Award by the Long Island Council of African Americans; and WHEREAS, Dedicated to his community, Bishop Frank Otha White is a benefactor of the Freeport High School Scholarship Committee and a sponsor of the Economic Opportunity Council Summer Basketball Team for Boys; and WHEREAS, In addition to his wife of almost 57 years, Dr. Juliet White, Bishop Frank Otha White is survived by five children and five grandchildren, as well as numerous other family members; and WHEREAS, Bishop Frank Otha White's legacy will live forever, not only in the many lives he has touched, but in the good works he has left behind; his words extended far and wide beyond the boundaries of a church building, city limits, state lines, and the United States shores; and WHEREAS, A genuine friend of the ecclesiastical society which he served, a highly respected colleague in civic circles, and a trusted, deeply influential dignitary in the holy chambers of the Pentecostal priesthood, Bishop Frank Otha White will be remembered by the residents of Freeport and the State of New York as a whole; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to celebrate the life of this esteemed religious leader who accepted the responsibilities of moral leadership and who dedicated his life to serving others; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of Bishop Frank Otha White, as well as rejoice in his life, noting his unremitting and compassionate faith to his service to God, man and his community; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Bishop Frank Otha White.