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1996 SESSION

966050360
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 344
Offered February 28, 1996
On the death of Bishop Thomas E. Talley.
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Patrons-- Moore and Melvin
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Consent to introduce
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WHEREAS, Bishop Thomas E. Talley of Portsmouth, pastor of two Hampton Roads churches for many years and a past president of the United Holy Church of America, died on February 21, 1996; and

WHEREAS, a native of North Carolina, Thomas Talley was brought up and educated in Richmond before moving to the Hampton Roads area, where he worked for 33 years at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard; and

WHEREAS, the pastor of the Gospel Light United Holy Church in Newport News since 1946, Thomas Talley brought the church from its infancy to its status today as one of the premier Pentecostal churches in Newport News; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Talley also served as pastor of Twine's Memorial Holy Temple in Portsmouth for 25 years, successfully balancing the demands of two congregations with his many other church and community activities; and

WHEREAS, long active in the United Holy Church of America, the oldest black Pentecostal church in the United States, Thomas Talley became a Bishop in the church in 1961, was elected president in 1992, and served for 25 years as the founding president of the Virginia Diocese; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Talley also found the time and energy to serve his community, including two terms on the Portsmouth School Board, a term as president of the Kirk-Cone Rehabilitation Center, and membership on the board of the Four Cities United Way; and

WHEREAS, cited many times for his commitment and dedication, Bishop Thomas Talley was most recently honored by being named an African-American Hero of Hampton Roads by the Virginian Pilot; and

WHEREAS, truly a man committed to his faith, his parishioners, and his community, Bishop Thomas Talley leaves an unmatched legacy of service and dedication to the citizens of Hampton Roads and the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a fine Virginian, Bishop Thomas E. Talley; 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 Bishop Thomas E. Talley as an expression of the General Assembly's deep and abiding respect for his memory.