Body
WHEREAS, Bishop E. M. Thorpe Sr., son of the late Elder James and Mother Thorpe and founder of the Northside Institutional Church of God in Christ, passed away peacefully on August 7, 2010; and,
WHEREAS, the preaching ministry of Bishop Thorpe dated back to the time when he was a boy, 1967 serving as a pivotal year in which he attended the youth convention at the Homewood Church of God that resulted in his invitation from Deacon Robert Wade to relocate to Pittsburgh and accept the pastorate for the Northside Church of God; and,
WHEREAS, during the leadership of then Reverend Thorpe, the Northside Church of God experienced tremendous growth, leading to the Reverend's promotion to a Bishopric; and,
WHEREAS, Bishop Thorpe used his business, negotiation and fundraising skills to raise a total of $1 million for the acquisition and renovation of properties so they would meet public safety standards, to provide jobs for the community, and to assist families in the transition from public housing to the purchase of new homes; and,
WHEREAS, Bishop Thorpe held the unshakable belief that people would never have to pay a fee for any activity, event or service hosted in a house of worship he oversaw, a reflection of his kindness, social conscience, and his humanitarian and charitable nature; and,
WHEREAS, in an example of his love for people, Bishop Thorpe became the first pastor in the city to hold the funeral for an AIDS victim who's grieving family had until then been unable to find pastoral support;
Title
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare September 7, 2010 to be Bishop E. M. Thorpe Day in the City of Pittsburgh for his lasting contributions and dedicated service to the community.