A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR REVEREND HENRY LEON "HANK" EDMONDS, JR., PASTOR AT UNION BAPTIST CHURCH, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER FORTY YEARS OF FAITHFUL MINISTRY AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly are pleased to learn that Reverend Henry Leon "Hank" Edmonds, Jr, began a well-deserved retirement on December 31, 2022, after four decades of meaningful ministry, the last twenty-eight years of which have been as the highly-regarded senior pastor at Union Baptist Church in Columbia; and

Whereas, a native of Bartow, Florida, Hank Edmonds, Jr, is the son of the late Mamie Mitchell Edmonds and the late Reverend Henry L. Edmonds, Sr, and the youngest of their four children; and

Whereas, after graduation from Bartow Senior High School, Reverend Edmonds earned a bachelor's degree from the University of New York State in 1993. Responding to the call of God into the Gospel ministry, he entered Bethany Theological Seminary in Dothan, Alabama and graduated with a master's degree in religion in 1999; and

Whereas, in patriotic tradition, Pastor Edmonds served his country with distinction in the United States Army Infantry Division for eight years and was last stationed in Alaska; and

Whereas, Reverend Edmonds was ordained at True Temple Victory Baptist Church in North Pole, Alaska, and in January 1990, he made his way south to pastor Second Mount Beulah Baptist Church in St. Matthews. In December 1994, he accepted the call to pastor Union Baptist Church where he served until retirement; and

Whereas, among his numerous volunteer activities, Reverend Edmonds is a member of the NAACP, is affiliated with Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Inc., and has served as assistant dean, dean, vice president, and president of the Gethsemane Baptist Association Congress of Christian Education. He has also worked as an assistant coordinator/mental health counselor at the Department of Mental Health; and

Whereas, he is the proud father of three daughters, Tawanda, Crystal, and Tia, and one son, Henry Leon, III, and he has been blessed with the affection of one loving grandson; and

Whereas, grateful for his many years of outstanding ministry in the Columbia community, the Palmetto State, and beyond, the South Carolina General Assembly takes great pleasure in extending best wishes to Reverend Hank Edmonds as he transitions to a richly deserved retirement and the unhurried pace of the days ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor Reverend Henry Leon "Hank" Edmonds, Jr, pastor of Union Baptist Church, upon the occasion of his recent retirement after forty years of faithful ministry and wish him continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Hank Edmonds.

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