HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2021-4617

HR 4617

ByRepresentatives Leavitt, Harris-Talley, Taylor, Ryu, and Bronoske

WHEREAS, The House of Representatives recognize the life and work of Bishop Leo Charles Brown Jr., a man who dedicated his life to his faith, to the improvement of the economic and social conditions of the underrepresented and most vulnerable among us, and to the Black communities of Washington state; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Brown was born June 17, 1942, in Washington D.C. In 1961, after completing high school, Bishop Brown moved to Washington State and served as a member of the Armed Services at Fort Lewis. It was there that he found and embraced his faith. In 1965, Bishop Brown joined the ministry and began his life's calling; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Brown transformed his faith into an instrument of hope for struggling members of the community, particularly those facing incarceration. His outreach and support began in 1968 when he formed the Emmanuel Temple Prison Ministry, providing spiritual guidance to persons inside prison. This began a lifelong commitment to helping many individuals who entered our prisons; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Brown was a co-founder of Operation Longthrust, a summer camp held at Camp Moran on Orcas Island. This summer camp program provides 100 poverty-stricken children a year with the opportunity to engage in a weeklong trip filled with learning and recreational activities; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Brown founded the Progress House Association in 1972. The Progress House serves as a work release program, providing opportunities for those exiting our prisons. Bishop Brown held fast to this calling, and successfully launched work release programs across many communities. Since its founding, the Progress House Association has expanded to open facilities in Seattle, Port Orchard, and Portland, providing more than 13,000 former inmates with work-release opportunities; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Brown founded the True Vine Community Church of God in Christ, a predominately Black Pentecostal church on August 24, 1975, in Tacoma, Washington. He spent 40 years building his congregation and expanding the church to offer services including kitchens, rest areas, and classrooms. The True Vine Community Church of God in Christ has expanded to numerous ministries and auxiliaries offering services and programs to community members of all ages. Bishop Brown mentored 22 former ministers who have gone on to start their own ministries and provide services to their own communities; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Brown has been recognized on numerous occasions for his many contributions to the betterment of Washington State communities, and for championing the pursuit of improving the opportunities for the underrepresented and vulnerable members of these communities. He is a recipient of the Key to the City of Tacoma, honoree for the Rockefeller Foundation Humanity Award, and was honored by Governor John Spellman and both houses of the Legislature who declared February 6, 1982, as "Leo Charles Brown Jr. Day"; and

WHEREAS, Above all, Leo Charles Brown Jr. was a dedicated family man. He was a father and stepfather to 14 children, as well as a grandfather and great-grandfather;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize and honor the service, life, and achievements of Bishop Leo Charles Brown Jr.