LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Reverend Anthony Lavay Trufant and First
Lady Muriel Trufant for special recognition, and commemorating the 25th
Anniversary of Reverend Anthony Lavay Trufant's service to the Emmanuel
Baptist Church on November 13, 2015

WHEREAS, The character and richness of religious and community life in
this noble Empire State is nourished and fulfilled through the faithful
concern and selfless devotion of those who would commit their energies
and purpose to the ministry of others; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to bring full
recognition and just tribute to those individuals who distinguish them-
selves and the ministry through their unremitting commitment and preemi-
nence of service; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Reverend
Anthony Lavay Trufant and First Lady Muriel Trufant for special recogni-
tion, and commemorating the 25th Anniversary of Reverend Anthony Lavay
Trufant's service to the Emmanuel Baptist Church on November 13, 2015,
to be celebrated at its 25th Anniversary Gala on Friday, November 13,
2015, at the Liberty Warehouse, Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Anthony Lavay Trufant 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, Reverend Anthony Lavay Trufant earned a bachelor's degree
from Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia, and then went on to obtain a
Master of Divinity from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School,
Rochester, New York; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Reverend Anthony Lavay Trufant received a diplo-
ma in Pastoral Counseling from Post Graduate Center for Mental Health,
New York City, and has completed coursework towards a Doctor of Ministry
at Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, New York City;
and
WHEREAS, In July of 1981, Reverend Anthony Lavay Trufant attained his
license to preach, and was ordained in May of 1988 by Third Baptist
Church, San Francisco, California; he is also a certified Conflict
Resolution Mediator; and
WHEREAS, A former adjunct professor at New York Theological and Auburn
Theological Seminaries, he has lectured and preached at numerous
colleges and universities, including Morehouse College, University of
Pennsylvania, Suffolk University, Palmer Theological, Long Island
University, Cornell University, and Princeton Theological Seminary; and
WHEREAS, The Brooklyn, New York-based preaching, teaching and outreach
ministry of Reverend Anthony Lavay Trufant stretches from New York City
to New Orleans, from Haiti's hovels to the up-from-apartheid townships
of South Africa and beyond; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Anthony Lavay Trufant's beliefs have been shaped, in
part, by his Chicago boyhood and by spending the balance of his youth in
San Francisco; he successfully completed an internship at the Third
Baptist Church, under the capable leadership of The Reverend Dr. Amos
Brown; and
WHEREAS, In November of 1990, Reverend Anthony Lavay Trufant was
appointed as Pastor of the Emmanuel Baptist Church; in this capacity, he
has overseen its exponential growth in membership and programming and
has raised its profile as one of the most innovative, effective "glocal"
churches in the Metro New York area; and

WHEREAS, A sought-after workshop facilitator, church consultant, and
leadership development specialist, Reverend Anthony Lavay Trufant has
been the recipient of numerous civic and religious awards and accolades;
he was also inducted into the Morehouse College of Ministers; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, this remarkable man was profiled in the critically
acclaimed book THE MESSENGERS by David Ritz, and published WORSHIP THAT
PLEASES GOD; he has been active in the Dallas, Texas-based, nationally
focused Leadership Network, and is a representative of Urban Ministry
Advantage, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of Faith Part-
nerships; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Anthony L. Trufant and First Lady Muriel Lynette
Goode Trufant, Esq. have been married for 25 wonderful years; they are
the loving parents of two daughters, Sharise Emmanuelle and Toni Niara,
both of whom feel privileged to be a part of their lives and rejoice in
their achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention
it is appropriate to publicly and jubilantly proclaim and commend them
for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Reverend Anthony L. Trufant and First Lady Muriel Trufant, noting
their unremitting and compassionate faith and their exemplary service to
God, man, and their community, and extending to them the heartfelt best
wishes of this Legislative Body 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 Anthony L. Trufant and First Lady Muriel Trufant.