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WHEREAS for the past 34 years, acting in his capacity as Senior Pastor , the Reverend Dr. J. Van Alfred Winsett has devoted himself to the service and ministry of the Ebenezer Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS Reverend Winsett graduated from Central High School in Louisville, Kentucky and later obtained his undergraduate degree, a Doctoral degree, and post-graduate certificates in Computer Science and Sign Language; and
WHEREAS before beginning his ministry in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Reverend Winsett pastured the Main Street Baptist Church in New Castle, Kentucky, the Center Street Baptist Church in Owensboro, Kentucky, and the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Beloit, Wisconsin; and
WHEREAS Reverend Winsett has also played a critical role in the process of rebuilding the original Ebenezer structure that was destroyed in its entirety by a tragic, four alarm fire that took place on March 13th, 2004; and
WHEREAS thanks to the hard work of Reverend Winsett, along with the generosity and dedication of a number of church and community members, Ebenezer Church's new, 1,175-seat sanctuary was officially reopened on Sunday, November 19, 2006; and
WHEREAS Reverend Winsett currently holds a variety of prestigious positions, including President of the Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention, Assistant Director of the Theology Department of the National Baptist Congress, Dean of Students at the American Baptist College's Pittsburgh Extension, a member of "Who's Who" among professionals and executives, and a member of the Pittsburgh Ministers Conference; and
WHEREAS in addition to being recognized by a number of esteemed national and international leaders including former United States President Jimmy Carter and the Late President of Liberia, William R. Tolbert, the Reverend Dr. Winsett was also the recipient of the NAACP's 2007 Homer S. Brown Award; and
WHEREAS in addition to addressing the needs of his congregants, the Reverend Winsett has also been an exemplary father to his four children and a devoted husband to his wife, Jacqueline; and
WHEREAS from Saturday, May 5th, 2007 through Monday, May 7th, 2007, the congregation of Ebenezer Baptist Church will honor and celebrate the Reverend Dr. Winsett's 34th anniversary by hosting various events and a special Anniversary service.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, in celebration and gratitude for his tireless efforts, the Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby wishes to sincerely commend the Reverend Dr. J. Van Alfred Winsett for thirty four years of dedicated service to both his congregation and to the Hill District community in its entirety.