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2008 SESSION
WHEREAS, Obadiah Colander of Suffolk, a respected citizen, community supporter, and beloved bishop of Faith Temple Apostolic Ministries, died on June 15, 2007; and
WHEREAS, Obadiah Colander was devoted to his congregation and his community of Suffolk and served as bishop at Faith Temple Apostolic Ministries on Wellons Street for 50 years, and as board chairman of Faith Temple Bible Training Center; and
WHEREAS, in the 1940s, Obadiah Colander began his lifelong fight for the rights of Suffolk residents to receive basic public services; he served first as a spokesman and later as chairman of the Crusade Committee for Sewage in the City of Suffolk, and his efforts led to many neighborhoods eventually receiving essential water and sewer service; and
WHEREAS, as a member of the Philadelphia-Saratoga Civic League, in 1974 Obadiah Colander spearheaded community clean-up drives, clearing tall weeds and debris from wooded areas on Battery and Kilby Avenues, which produced safer and cleaner neighborhoods for residents and their children; and
WHEREAS, over the years, Obadiah Colander continued to support community improvement, and most recently, he helped the city complete curb and gutter projects and remove a junkyard on the corner of Wellons and Saratoga Streets; and
WHEREAS, in the 1980s, Obadiah Colander represented his fellow citizens before the Suffolk City Council, demanding zoning changes that would allow construction of public housing in Suffolk and would eventually lead to the building of Nansemond Square, Wilson Pines, and Hoffler Estates; and
WHEREAS, in 1981 and 1982, Obadiah Colander and several sympathetic Suffolk City Council members met with state and federal officials, made application for additional Suffolk public housing, and received the funding necessary to construct the 80-unit housing project, Colander Bishop Meadows Apartments, named in honor of Bishop Colander and the late King Bishop; and
WHEREAS, in September 1989, Obadiah Colander founded King's Kids of America, Inc., an organization that mentors children and youth and strives to help them grow mentally, spiritually, and emotionally; the nonprofit began with 25 children and today serves more than 400 youngsters, ages four to 23; and
WHEREAS, Obadiah Colander gave his time and talents to many civic organizations over the years and served in leadership positions for the Suffolk Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, the Suffolk Civic Forum, and the Community Service Committee; and
WHEREAS, an inspiration to all who knew him, Bishop Obadiah Colander was always eager to lend a helping hand to his neighbors in need, and he was admired as an outstanding minister, visionary leader, and advocate for the Suffolk community; and
WHEREAS, Obadiah Colander will be fondly remembered for his wisdom, community advocacy, and spiritual guidance and will be greatly missed by his devoted wife, Bernadine; his eight children and their wonderful families; his numerous other family members and friends; and the congregation of Faith Temple and the citizens of the City of Suffolk; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of an outstanding Virginian, Obadiah Colander; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Obadiah Colander as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.