HR0620 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0620 LRB096 14611 GRL 29449 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Rev. Dr. Napoleon Davis on the occasion of celebrating his Golden Jubilee Pastoral Anniversary on October 11, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Napoleon Davis attended the Greene County Training School in Boligee, Alabama; he then graduated from Selma University in Selma, Alabama, where he earned his honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in 1979; he also studied at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and Northwestern University; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Napoleon Davis has had a long and distinguished career in the ministry; he was called to preach in August of 1953 and became licensed and ordained shortly after; after serving in pastorate positions at Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Eutaw, Alabama and Infant Baptist Church in Carrollton, Alabama, he moved to Chicago in 1958 and served as assistant pastor of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. Joseph Wells; and

WHEREAS, In 1959, Rev. Dr. Napoleon Davis was called to the pastorate of the Second Baptist Church in Harvey, where he served faithfully for 23 years; in 1982, he founded the Christ First Baptist Church in Harvey with 250 charter members; during his 27 years of leadership at Christ First, he has been instrumental in the creation of numerous ministries, including the Weekly Radio Broadcast Ministry, the AWANA Youth Ministry, and the Tutorial Program and Support Ministry; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Napoleon Davis has traveled extensively throughout the United States, performing various preaching, teaching, and revival services; he has also licensed and/or ordained 23 men into the Gospel Ministry under his leadership; and

WHEREAS, In October of 2002, Loomis Avenue in Harvey from 142nd Street to 147th Street was renamed to "Rev. Dr. Napoleon Davis Drive" in honor of his many accomplishments; he was also the recipient of the "Doctor William J. Shaw Pastoral Ministry Award for Fifty Years of Pastoral Service" in September of 2008 during the Annual Session of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Napoleon Davis has been affiliated with numerous civic and ministerial organizations, including the Greater New Era Baptist District Association, the Baptist General State Convention of Illinois, the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., the NAACP, the Harvey Human Relations Commission, and the Harvey Ministerial Alliance; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Napoleon Davis and his beloved wife, Sister Estelle Davis, along with his 4 children and 8 grandchildren, will celebrate his 50 years of dedicated service during a special event in their honor at the Christ First Baptist Church in Harvey on October 11, 2009; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Rev. Dr. Napoleon Davis on the occasion of celebrating his Golden Jubilee Pastoral Anniversary and wish him continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Rev. Dr. Napoleon Davis as a symbol of our esteem and respect.