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2012 SESSION

12105451D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 450
Offered February 24, 2012
Commending the Reverend Lawrence A. Davies.
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Patrons-- Howell, W.J., Cole, Dudenhefer, Minchew, and Orrock; Senators: Reeves and Stuart
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WHEREAS, the Reverend Lawrence A. Davies, who has faithfully served the congregation of Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) in Fredericksburg for 50 years, will retire as pastor on March 4, 2012; and

WHEREAS, a native of Houston, Texas, Reverend Davies received a master of divinity degree from the Howard University School of Divinity and master of systematic theology degree from Wesley Theological Seminary; and

WHEREAS, in 1962 Reverend Davies came to Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site), the mother church of Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., where he had previously served as an associate pastor; and

WHEREAS, an energetic and insightful preacher, Reverend Davies has led Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) as it increased in membership and faith over the years; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Davies established many outreach programs for youth and adults and worked with other churches to establish an innovative, ecumenical outreach to the chronically homeless; and

WHEREAS, a sought-after revivalist, Reverend Davies has touched countless individuals with his inspiring words and served as a spiritually rooted mentor to aspiring young ministers; and

WHEREAS, an influential member of the community, Reverend Davies became the first African American elected to the Fredericksburg City Council and won reelection twice; and

WHEREAS, in 1976 Reverend Davies defeated the incumbent to become the first African American (and only to date) to be elected as mayor of the City of Fredericksburg, a position he held for 20 years; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Davies served as a voice of reason and wisdom during the Civil Rights struggle and established Citizens United for Action to promote civic activism, voter education and registration, and racial tolerance; and

WHEREAS, committed to the prosperity and well-being of all the residents of Fredericksburg, Reverend Davies advocated for economic development projects to revitalize the historic downtown, oversaw the establishment of a regional public transit system that was later named in his honor, and played a key role in the creation of the city’s first low-income housing complex; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Davies led the efforts to establish a community-wide wellness coalition and promoted the establishment of community-based services for those with mental health issues; he also founded a local sickle cell anemia association and participated in statewide initiatives to help those with the disease; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Davies provided wise insight and thoughtful guidance to numerous local and state organizations as a board member; and

WHEREAS, a man of humility, compassion, and warmth, Reverend Davies has been an important leader in the Fredericksburg community for the past half century; his notable service and contributions will be recognized with an afternoon banquet and program at the Expo Center in Fredericksburg; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Reverend Lawrence A. Davies on the occasion of his retirement as pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site); and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Reverend Lawrence A. Davies as an expression of the General Assembly’s congratulations and admiration and respect for his dedication to Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) and the City of Fredericksburg.