Senate Resolution 32

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING DR. HICKMAN M. JOHNSON, PASTOR OF FARISH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS PRESIDENT OF MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST SEMINARY.

WHEREAS, Dr. Hickman M. Johnson, Pastor of Farish Street Baptist Church, has announced his retirement as President of Mississippi Baptist Seminary in Jackson, where he has served for 30 years as instructor, dean, board member, chairman of the board and currently as President; and

WHEREAS, born in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Johnson is a graduate of Tennessee State University (B.S.); Morehouse School of Religion, Interdenominational Theological Center (M.Div.); Mississippi College (M.A.); and Emory University (D.Min.); and

WHEREAS, from 1967-1968, Dr. Johnson served as Chaplain at Tougaloo College and in August 1968, accepted the pastorate of the historic Farish Street Baptist Church, Jackson, Mississippi. From 1970-1975, while still serving the pastorate of Farish Street Baptist Church, Dr. Johnson directed the Jackson Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC), a nonprofit community-based jobs training program. In October 1976, he was appointed Regional Director of the Atlanta Region of OICs of America with responsibility for 28 local affiliates in an eight-state region. In June 1977, Dr. Johnson resigned as Regional Director of OIC to give more time to a demanding pastorate; and

WHEREAS, in November 1981, Dr. Johnson was appointed Dean of Academic Affairs, Mississippi Baptist Seminary, and on January 1, 1989, became the sixth President of Mississippi Baptist Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi. From February 1991 to May 1991, Dr. Johnson served as Interim Executive Director, Jackson Housing Authority. In January 1994, he was reappointed Interim Executive Director and in June 1994, was appointed Executive Director, Jackson Housing Authority, and served until October 2000. Under his leadership, the Jackson Housing Authority received several awards and recognitions, including the Secretary's Citation, presented by HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo and HUD's Best Practice Award for its affordable homeownership program. In May 2001, Dr. Johnson was appointed Interim Executive Director, Tupelo Housing Authority, and in December 2001, accepted the appointment as Executive Director; and

WHEREAS, he is extremely active in the church and community, having served as Chairman, Mississippi Religious Leadership Conference (MRLC); Chairman, MRLC Disaster Task Force; Co-Chairman, Change in the Form of Government Committee appointed by the Mayor to recommend changes in Jackson's commission form of government; Chairman, Seminole District Committee, Boy Scouts of America; Member, Executive Board, Andrew Jackson Council, Boy Scouts of America; Member, Southern Ecumenical Council on Maternal and Infant Health of the Southern Governors' Association; Member, Seminole District Committee, Boy Scouts of America; Moderator, Jackson District Missionary Baptist Association, Inc. (1988-1994); Corresponding Secretary, General Baptist State Convention of Mississippi (1988-1994); Member, Theological Commission, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. (1971-1990); Commissioner, City of Jackson Housing Authority (1969-1991); Chairman, City of Jackson Housing Authority Board of Commissioners (1990-1991); Supervisor General Division and Faculty Member, National Baptist Congress of Christian Education; Board of Directors, Mississippi Religious Leadership Conference; Board of Directors, General Baptist State Convention of Mississippi; Member, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO); Member, Public Housing Authorities Directors' Association (PHADA); Member, Southeastern Regional, Housing and Redevelopment Officials; Member, Phi Delta Kappa Professional Fraternity; Member, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated; and Member, Beta Gamma Boule, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his service to the church and community, he was awarded honorary degrees from Natchez College (D.D.) and Mississippi Baptist Seminary (D.D). Dr. Johnson received the Mississippi Religious Leadership Conference's Distinguished Religious Leaders Award and the 1990 Boy Scouts of America District Award of Merit. Dr. Johnson is a member of the International Society of Theta Phi and is listed in Personalities of the South, 1973 edition, and Biographical Directory of Negro Ministers, third edition, and a contributor, Townsend Commentary 1988-1989; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the spiritual, charitable and public service of this Mississippian 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 Dr. Hickman M. Johnson, Pastor of Farish Street Baptist Church, on the occasion of his retirement as President of Mississippi Baptist Seminary in Jackson, after 30 years of leadership and service to that institution, and extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Senate on continued success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Johnson at ceremonies on March 1, 2003, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.