MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Flaggs

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING REVEREND RICHARD G. BURNS UPON HIS RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, Reverend Richard G. Burns, a great servant of God, has retired as pastor of New Mt. Elem Missionary Baptist Church after 32 years of dedicated service; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Burns, son of the late Bertha Anderson Burns and the late Alexander Judge Burns, was born on February 28, 1908, in Vicksburg, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Burns received his education from the Warren County Public Schools and graduated from the Mississippi Baptist Seminary, where he earned a bachelor of theology and a master's in theological studies; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Burns accepted God's call to the ministry and was ordained as a minister in December 1945; and

WHEREAS, in 1951, Reverend Burns was elected as the pastor of Revelation Baptist Church and pastor of Mt. Elem Baptist Church in 1968; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure at Mt. Elem Baptist Church, Reverend Burns worked tirelessly to ensure the construction of a new worship building, which is now known as New Mt. Elem Missionary Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Burns, at 91 years old, is still an active and vital member of his community, serving as Moderator of the Warren County District Association, Worshipful Master of St. Peter's Lodge #5, Secretary of Overcome Lodge #1, Patron of St. Mary's Chapter #2 of the Order of the Eastern Star, Grand Secretary of the M.W. Successful Grand Lodge A.F. and A.M., Board Member of Parkview Regional Home Health, former President of the Warren County Sunday School Institute and Convention, a founding Board Member and former Secretary of the Vicksburg Center of the Mississippi Baptist Seminary, former recording Secretary of the Warren County Baptist Association, former board member of the YMCA and former board member of the Fisher Ferry Water Club; and

WHEREAS, in addition, Reverend Burns has participated in the General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Mississippi and the National Baptist Convention, the Vicksburg's Minister's Alliance and served on the Advisory Council for the Mississippi Action for Progress/Head Start Program; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Burns has been lovingly supported in all his endeavors by his late wife, Estella Parson Burns, their nine children, 36 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding Mississippians such as Reverend Burns, who has dedicated his career to ministering to the people in his community:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Reverend Richard G. Burns upon his retirement from the ministry and extend to him our heartiest wishes for good health, happiness, peace and joy.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Reverend Richard G. Burns and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.