HJ 262 — Celebrating the life of the Reverend Dr. Marcellus Lee Harris, Jr.

SESSION INTRODUCEDENROLLED 24107719D I HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO.

262 NE OfferedN February 27, 2024 Celebrating the life of the Reverend Dr.

––––––––––LeeMarcellus Lee Harris, Jr.

TAgreed Patrons––Green,to Simonds,by Ennis,the Hodges,House Hope,of McQuinn,Delegates, Owen,March Price,4, Rasoul2024 R Agreed to by the Senate, March 6, 2024 O L devoted civil rights activist and Ware;advocate, and beloved member and leader of the Newport News, community, died on February 10, 2024;

Senators:and L WHEREAS, a native of Newport News, Marcellus Harris worked at the Newport News Shipyard as a E teeWHEREAS, Marcellus Harris enlisted with the United States Navy and served his country with D honor and distinction during the war in Vietnam, where he heard his calling to preach and serve others as a faith leader;

Rand Diggs,WHEREAS, Marsden,Marcellus McDougleHarris attended West Virginia State University and Reevesearned ––––––––––degrees Ofrom WHEREAS,Richmond theVirginia ReverendSeminary, Dr.and Canaan Theological Seminary and College, with his highestlege, educational achievement being a doctor of ministry degree;

Marcellusand LeeWHEREAS, Harris,after Jr.,returning anto honorableNewport veteran,News esteemedin pastor,1969, DMarcellus devotedHarris civilbegan rightshis activistministry andwork advocate,at andH belovedIvy memberBaptist andChurch, leaderand, two years later, became the pastor of First Baptist Church Morrison, where he 6 wouWHEREAS, as the Newportpastor Newsof community,First diedBaptist onChurch FebruaryMorrison, 10,Marcellus 2024;Harris provided his E congregation with uplifting spiritual guidance and abundant opportunities for worship, fellowship, and R community outreach;

and UWHEREAS, teenagerMarcellus Harris' indefatigable efforts at First Baptist Church Morrison were vital to the chuWHEREAS, Marcellus Harris was a tireless advocate for racial justice, equality, and graduatedcivil fromrights andnd a valuable voice in the historiccommunity Collisat P.countless school board meetings, city council sessions, and other occasions;

Huntingtonand HighWHEREAS, SchoolMarcellus Harris extended his ministry beyond the church in 1960;various ways, including as and Guide, as founder of United Campus Ministries at Christopher Newport University, as vice president of the Virginia Baptist State Convention, and as a member of the Hampton Roads chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference;

andyard as aC WHEREAS, Marcellus Harris enlisted with the United States Navy and servedcommunity, hiscoaching countryyouth withbasketball E honor and distinctionserving duringas thea warmentor in Vietnam, where he heard his calling to preachmany andover servethe othersyears; as a faith leader;

andandort DNews WHEREAS, Marcellus Harris attendedwill Westbe Virginiafondly Stateremembered University and earneddearly degreesmissed fromby Norfolk State University, United Christian College, National Theological Seminary and College, Richmond Virginia Seminary, and Canaan Theological Seminary and College, with his highestloving eduWHEREAS,wife, afterAnnette; returning to Newport News in 1969, Marcellus Harris began his ministry work at Ivy Baptist Church, and, two years later, became the pastor of First Baptist Church Morrison, where he would lead the congregation until his retirement in 2016;

and WHEREAS, as the pastor of First Baptist Church Morrison, Marcellus Harris provided his H congregation with uplifting spiritual guidance and abundant opportunities for worship, fellowsh2p, and community outreach;

and 2 WHEREAS, Marcellus Harris' indefatigable efforts at First Baptist Church Morrison were vital to the chuWHEREAS, Marcellus Harris was a tireless advocate for racial justice, equality, and civil rights andnd a valuable voice in the community at countless school board meetings, city council sessions, and other occasions;

and WHEREAS, Marcellus Harris extended his ministry beyond the church in various ways, including as the host of a radio show on the Christian station WTJZ, as a frequent contributor to The New Journal and Guide, as founder of United Campus Ministries at Christopher Newport University, as vice president of the Virginia Baptist State Convention, and as a member of the Hampton Roads chapter of the SouWHEREAS, Marcellus Harris was dedicated to the well-being of young people in the Newport News 35 community, coaching youth basketball and serving as a mentor to many over the years;

and / 36 WHEREAS, Marcellus Harris will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife, / 37 Annette;

now, 38 therefore, be it RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Reverend Dr.

Marcellus Lee Harris, Jr., a treasured member of theRESOLVED FURTHER, That the ClerkNewport ofNews thecommunity Housewho ofwas Delegates prepare a copysource of thisjoy resolutionand itinspiration for presentation to theall familywho ofknew thehim; Reverend Dr.

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 the Reverend Dr.