LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Reverend Charles Edward Bailey upon
the occasion of his retirement after 42 years of distinguished service
to the Fort Miller Reformed Church, Fort Edward, New York

WHEREAS, The character and richness of religious and community life in
this noble Empire State are nourished and fulfilled through the faithful
concern and selfless devotion of those who commit their energies and
purpose to the ministry of others; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to bring full recog-
nition and just tribute to individuals who distinguish themselves and
the ministry through their unremitting commitment and preeminence of
service; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Reverend
Charles Edward Bailey upon the occasion of his retirement after 42 years
of distinguished service to the Fort Miller Reformed Church, Fort
Edward, New York; his last Sunday Service will be April 27, 2014, and he
will officially retire in May of 2014; and
WHEREAS, Charles E. Bailey was born September 29, 1940 in Logan, West
Virginia, in the heart of coal mining country to parents who taught in
the local schools; together with his sister, the family moved to Tucson,
Arizona, but returned to West Virginia, during Charles' high school
years; and
WHEREAS, After graduation in 1958, Charles E. Bailey attended Bob
Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, earning a master's
degree in religion, was ordained in the American Baptist Church, and
then earned a master's degree in history at Roosevelt University in
Chicago; and
WHEREAS, It was there in a church where he served as a youth leader he
met his future wife, Deborah McFarlen; after their marriage in 1968, the
couple moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, where Charles received a
Ph.D. in European History from the University of Virginia; and
WHEREAS, For his research, Charles and Deborah Bailey lived in Germany
for a year, including two months in Berlin; he was one of the few Ameri-
cans awarded the privilege of doing research at the Humbolt University
in East Berlin, traveling daily through Checkpoint Charlie; and
WHEREAS, In 1972, Charles E. Bailey accepted a position at Adirondack
Community College and his wife taught French at Whitehall High School;
at this time, he also began his service as the "stated supply" pastor of
the Fort Miller Reformed Church in Fort Edward, New York; and
WHEREAS, Together, Charles and Deborah Bailey had three sons, all of
whom graduated from Schuylerville Central School; and
WHEREAS, The Bailey family was privileged to take several sabbaticals
in Europe including in Cambridge, Paris, Vienna, and the reunited
Berlin; Charles continues in his role as Distinguished Professor of
European History at SUNY Adirondack, having served as Department Chair-
man; he has also published numerous articles in a variety of journals;
and
WHEREAS, In addition to their three sons, with them throughout have
been their daughters-in-law and seven grandchildren, all of whom feel
privileged to be a part of their lives and rejoice in their achieve-
ments; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Charles E. Bailey has brought to his ministry an
overwhelming spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and
enlightenment in conducting his administrative and spiritual duties,
while always displaying the highest standards of personal and profes-
sional integrity and dedication; and

WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God has always given enlightenment,
guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and has adminis-
tered abundantly and unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal needs of
all; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a person
of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention it is
appropriate to publicly and jubilantly proclaim and commend that indi-
vidual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Reverend Charles Edward Bailey upon the occasion of his retire-
ment after 42 years of distinguished service to the Fort Miller Reformed
Church, Fort Edward, New York, noting his unremitting and compassionate
faith and his exemplary service to God, man, and his community, and
extending to him the heartfelt best wishes for a future of purposeful
success and well-being; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Reverend Charles Edward Bailey.