HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 93-4631, by Representatives Romero, Wolfe and Wineberry

            WHEREAS, The Reverend Wendell Dennis Morris devoted his entire life to preaching the word of God and was a powerful beacon in his community; and

            WHEREAS, He honorably and faithfully served his country for twenty years in the United States Army, including tours of duty in Germany and Vietnam, providing spiritual guidance to our fighting men and women; and

            WHEREAS, Reverend Morris had a larger vision for his community and was aware of the positive role played by the Black Church in the lives of generations of African-Americans; and

            WHEREAS, He steadfastly believed in education, continuing his own education at Evergreen, while pastoring at New Life Baptist Church, visiting the sick and housebound, and running and creating a successful prison ministry; and

            WHEREAS, He brought forth his own spirituality to this distinguished body on several occasions by blessing us with his uplifting and inspirational prayers; and

            WHEREAS, In the tradition of other more celebrated African-American leaders, Reverend Morris' participation in the community did not end at the pulpit; and

            WHEREAS, His enthusiastic participation in local, state, and national politics set an example for all of us to follow; and

            WHEREAS, Reverend Morris faithfully and diligently served on the Board of Directors of the Olympia YMCA, the Tacoma Branch of the Olympia Urban League, and the Rainbow Coalition of Thurston County; and

            WHEREAS, He was a powerful role model for the youth of his community, as they saw in Pastor Morris, a strong, principled man who lead not only by his words, but by his actions; and

            WHEREAS, His selfless, lifetime devotion to students included founding the New Life Mary Graham Scholarship Fund for youths planning to continue their education after high school; and

            WHEREAS, For the last eight years, Reverend Morris has administered to the spiritual needs of the community at New Life Baptist Church in Olympia; and

            WHEREAS, On March 15, 1993, Reverend Wendell Dennis Morris died at the age of 47; and

            WHEREAS, In the wake of his untimely death, our community feels as though the world is a little darker; and

            WHEREAS, It now falls upon all of us to carry on the message of change and hope that Pastor Morris stood for in his life;

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the members of the House of Representatives of the State of Washington, along with the people of our state, pay tribute to the life and memory of Reverend Wendell Dennis Morris.

                                             I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

                                         Resolution 4631 adopted by the House of Representatives

                                                                       March 19, 1992.

                                                    ________________________________

                                                              Alan Thompson, Chief Clerk