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2015 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 538
Commending Harold S. Lilly, Sr.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 23, 2015
Agreed to by the Senate, February 19, 2015

 

WHEREAS, Harold S. Lilly, Sr., a child musical prodigy, was born on December 31, 1944, in Richmond’s historic Jackson Ward community; and

WHEREAS, Harold S. Lilly, Sr., was educated in the Richmond public school system, graduated from Maggie L. Walker High School in 1963, and attended Virginia Union University for two years before he was drafted into the United States Army in 1965; during his military service, he served as a chaplain’s assistant and chapel organist at Fort Benning, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, self-taught from the age of four and with deep Pentecostal roots at Jerusalem Holy Church, Harold Lilly’s unique musical gift was nurtured and encouraged by his mother; his musical genius was influenced by such music legends as Perzelia Goodwin, Marie Goodman Hunter, and Robert J. Jones; and his ability to flawlessly execute the most difficult of sacred, secular, traditional, and contemporary gospel music on the pipe and Hammond organs was awe-inspiring; and

WHEREAS, Harold S. Lilly, Sr., was employed for many years by Walter D. Moses, Baldwin, and Corleys music stores in Richmond to demonstrate and sell the Hammond, Allen, and Rodgers organs; and

WHEREAS, Harold S. Lilly, Sr., has enjoyed a musical career as a renowned organist for nearly 60 years, serving as minister of music for schools, hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, and numerous churches, among them Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Mosby Memorial Baptist Church, Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Broomfield C.M.E. Church, Sharon Baptist Church, Morning Star Baptist Church, and First African Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, due to his artistry and stunning performances, Harold S. Lilly, Sr., is in high demand as an organist and has been the guest organist for the annual Emancipation Proclamation Day Service for the Richmond Baptist Ministers’ Conference since the early 1970s; he has served the City Wide Revival for 33 years and was showcased as the principal instrumentalist for the Ebony Fashion Show as well as Broadway musicals Purlie and Momma, I Want to Sing; and he was the featured guest artist for the 2010 Richmond Folk Festival; and

WHEREAS, Harold S. Lilly, Sr., has helped pave the way for other aspiring local African American performers and strives to enhance his amazing talent by practicing every day, beginning the groundwork for performances with prayer, planning, and preparation; and

WHEREAS, affectionately known as “Professor Lilly,” Harold S. Lilly, Sr., continues to serve and dazzle the Richmond metropolitan community with his skills on the organ at worship services, revivals, weddings, organ recitals, and funerals; he is invited frequently as a lecturer for local and national music workshops; and

WHEREAS, Harold S. Lilly, Sr., was honored with a celebration by the Old Landmark Gospel Association and Musical Friends on October 4, 2014, in Richmond to acknowledge his extraordinary musical talent and 60 years of faithful service to the Richmond metropolitan community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Harold S. Lilly, Sr.; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Harold S. Lilly, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation of his dedication and contributions to the music and cultural communities in Richmond and throughout the Commonwealth.