MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Broomfield

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING DR. JOHN WESLEY DAVIS, SR., ON THE CELEBRATION OF HIS 18TH ANNIVERSARY AS PASTOR OF THE GREATER ANTIOCH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH.

WHEREAS, Dr. John Wesley Davis, Sr., will be celebrating his 18th Anniversary as Pastor of the Greater Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Pascagoula, Mississippi, on March 28, 1999; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Davis, son of Mrs. Mary Davis and the late Mr. Willie Davis, was born on August 10, 1934, in Laurel, Mississippi, and graduated from Oak Park High School; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Davis furthered his education at Jackson State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in music before attending the American Bible College in Kansas City, Missouri, where he received a bachelor's degree in Bible philosophy, a master's degree in Bible philosophy and a doctorate degree in divinity; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Davis was ordained at Mount Enon Missionary Baptist Church in Dayton, Ohio, under the pastorage of Dr. Thomas D. Howard; and

WHEREAS, throughout his career, Dr. Davis has ministered to several churches in the State of Mississippi, including Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Louisville, Concord Missionary Baptist Church in Forest, St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Laurel and New West Point Missionary Baptist Church in Waynesboro; and

WHEREAS, an active member of his community, Dr. Davis is a member of numerous organizations, including the NAACP, the SCLC, the Advisory Board of the Jackson County Youth Court, Jackson County Salvation Army Domestic Violence Task Force and the Jackson County Extension Advisory Council of the Mississippi State University Extension Board and served as a former trustee of the M.I. College and Institute, organizer and former President of the Interdenominational Conference in Pascagoula and President of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance in Jackson County; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Davis has received several awards during his long and distinguished career, such as the Louis Peyton Humanitarian Award, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Meritorious Spiritual Outreach Award, the Mississippi Jack Scroll of Merit Award, the Jackson County Mississippi Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance Minister of the Year and the Moss Point/Jackson County Mississippi Youth Court Volunteer Award; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Davis also has been selected to the Who's Who Among Black Americans and Who's Who in the National Baptist Convention U.S.A., Inc., and is an internationally known recording artist; and

WHEREAS, in addition, Dr. Davis is also a member of many professional associations, including the Ministers Council and the Board of Directors for the National Baptist Convention U.S.A., Inc., President of the New Education State Convention of Mississippi, Vice President of the New Educational State Congress of Mississippi and Parliamentarian of the Shiloh District Association of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Davis has been lovingly supported in all his endeavors by his faithful wife, the former Virgie Louise Sumlin, and their children, Reverend John W. Davis, Jr., and Maurice B. Davis; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi to recognize and commend such outstanding Mississippians as Dr. Davis, who has dedicated his life to sharing the love of Jesus Christ:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Dr. John Wesley Davis, Sr., on the celebration of his 18th Anniversary as Pastor of the Greater Antioch Missionary Baptist Church and extend to him our heartiest wishes for success in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. John Wesley Davis, Sr., and to members of the Capitol Press Corps.