MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Harden

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING REV. JOHN E. CAMERON, SR., ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 30TH YEAR AS PASTOR OF THE GREATER MOUNT CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH IN JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, John Earl (Johnny) Cameron was born on June 11, 1932, just outside of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in Petal. His parents were A.C. and Courtney Cameron. He is the fourteenth of sixteen children; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Cameron was educated in the Springfield Vocational High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where he graduated in 1951. He later attended Alcorn A & M College in Lorman, Mississippi. He attended Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, where he received his B.S. Degree. Reverend Cameron also attended the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee, where his major was social science (theology); and

WHEREAS, he has been serving in a pastoral position for more than forty years. His first position was at First Baptist Church in Oxford, Mississippi. He is currently pastor at Greater Mount Calvary Baptist church in Jackson, Mississippi, where he has been since 1970. Reverend Cameron has been active in numerous organizations and actively involved in the civil rights movement extending back prior to his involvement with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Additionally, Reverend Cameron worked with Dr. King on voter registration campaigns in the Hattiesburg, Mississippi, area; and

WHEREAS, he has been involved in civic affairs which included his bid for the United States Congress Fifth Congressional District in the State of Mississippi. He was the Director of the Hattiesburg Ministers' Project and served as Ambassador to Central America. Presently he serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Pearl River Valley Redevelopment Basin in Hinds County; and

WHEREAS, he has been cited in Who's Who in Black America, Notable Americans in the Bicentennial Era and Outstanding Community Leader. He has received a proclamation from Mayor Dale Danks, Jr., a proclamation from Judge Alexander in Hinds County, and he served as a Colonel on Governor Cliff Finch's staff. Most recently Rev. Cameron was one of the speakers at Governor Ronnie Musgrove's inaugural (religious) ceremony, where he spoke on the issue of "Challenge"; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the tenure of this church and civic leader who has brought honor to his church, his community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Rev. John E. Cameron, Sr., on the occasion of his 30th year as pastor of the Greater Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi, and wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to Reverend Cameron and be made available to his church and to the Capitol Press Corps.