SENATE RESOLUTION

                                                                   1993-8650

By Senators Fraser, Franklin and Amondson

         WHEREAS, The Reverend Wendell Dennis Morris devoted his life to goodwill and peace and was a powerful beacon in our state as an articulate spokesperson for human dignity, justice, the importance of all people developing their potential to the fullest, and the importance of each person contributing to the betterment of the community and our world; and

         WHEREAS, He steadfastly believed in education, continuing his own education at The Evergreen State College, while pastoring at New Life Baptist Church in Olympia, visiting the sick and house-bound, and creating and running a successful prison ministry; and

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

         WHEREAS, His enthusiastic and effective participation in local, state, and national politics sets an outstanding example for others; and

         WHEREAS, Reverend Morris was a faithful and diligent member of organizations in his community, including the Urban League and the Board of Directors of the Olympia YMCA; 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 led 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 who plan to continue their education after high school; and

            WHEREAS, For the last eight years, Reverend Morris ministered to the spiritual needs of the community at New Life Baptist Church in Olympia; 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, On March 15, 1993, Reverend Wendell Dennis Morris died very unexpectedly at the age of forty-seven; and

            WHEREAS, It now falls upon all of us to continue the message of human dignity, justice, opportunity, and service to others for which Pastor Morris stood;

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

I, Marty Brown, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1993-8650,

adopted by the Senate April 25, 1993.

MARTY BROWN

Secretary of the Senate