House Resolution 74

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE STELLAR COMMUNITY SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP OF REVEREND DR. GEORGE R. DUCKWORTH AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON BEING HONORED BY THE JASPER COUNTY TIOCH COMMUNITY CENTER, INC.

WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., once stated - "Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love," - and as such, has become the essence of service, the key ingredient that both inspires and sustains great humanitarians to serve, and serves as the nexus of commitment evidenced by Reverend Dr. George R. Duckworth for which he is being honored by the Jasper County TIOCH Community Center, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, born in Taylorsville, Mississippi, the seventh child of Reverend Lloyd and Sister Vera Duckworth, Reverend Dr. Duckworth, an esteemed and highly revered minister of the Ecclesiastical gospel since November 1980, when he accepted his calling to preach the living word, matriculated collegiately at Mississippi Valley State University, Florida Southern College and, ultimately, at the International Bible Institute Seminary College, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in theology and his Ph.D.; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Duckworth fulfilled the requirements of the Pastor's Alternative for teacher certification on December 12, 2003, from the Christian Education Department of the Sunday School Publishing Board (SSPB), the official publisher of National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., and currently serves as an instructor in the National, State and Local Congresses of Christian Education; and

WHEREAS, upon relocating from Apopka, Florida, to Heidelberg, Mississippi, in 2001, Reverend Dr. Duckworth served as Assistant Pastor of Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church under his father and Pastor Emeritus, Reverend Lloyd Duckworth, Sr., and upon his father's retirement after 50 years of worshipful service, officially assumed the shepherd's reign as pastor of Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church in April of 2002; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Duckworth serves as moderator of the First Enterprise Association, director of Home Mission for the East Mississippi State Convention, Inc., sits on the Board of Directors for Mid-Mississippi Development District and is a member of the P16 Council; and

WHEREAS, having discovered the agape love of God as a young man, Reverend Dr. Duckworth, would soon discover the romantic love of his life when he met and married Sarah Duckworth, in fulfillment of the words recorded in Proverbs 18:22, "He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD," and with whom he has embarked upon a lifetime of joyous occasions, which has included the addition of five children and eight grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, equipped with the tools acquired through his formal educational training, as well as those spiritually and divinely gifted by the supreme god-head of the spiritual Deity, Reverend Dr. Duckworth is considered a notable spiritual leader in the Southeast Mississippi region by government, church and civic leaders, and his revered rapport amongst the affiliates, his gifts and talents have made room for him in accordance with Proverbs 18:15-16 - "The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men"; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Duckworth's dedication and commitment to excellence extends well beyond traditional religious protocol and exemplifies the true meaning of a faithful servant of God throughout his service, as he has provided a level of religious leadership in his congregation while evidencing an unbiased love and encouragement of all Christians to stand up and be counted for Christ, while seeking the very heart of God; and

WHEREAS, men of faith such as Reverend Dr. Duckworth are rare in these times of social and moral decline in America, but nevertheless, he endeavors to uphold everything that is good and right about this country as an example to every other citizen of what this nation's potential when premised on a firm spiritual foundation and continued demonstration of humility and excellence in operating in the gifts of his calling; and

WHEREAS, the Jasper County TIOCH Community Center, Inc., is tasked with providing community service opportunities and activities for residents of the Rose Hill and surrounding areas through educational and charitable programs which have benefited from the ministerial counsel and spiritual guidance of Reverend Dr. Duckworth, whose legacy will continue to be promoted; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to acknowledge the selfless generosity and timeless services of such remarkable individuals as Reverend Dr. Duckworth's pristine caliber, whose life's works have established a respected rapport among the community and state that precedes his immediate presence:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the stellar community service and leadership of Reverend Dr. George R. Duckworth, congratulate him upon being honored by the Jasper County TIOCH Community Center, Inc., and extend best wishes for continued health, prosperity and success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Reverend Dr. George R. Duckworth and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.