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Regular Session, 2011 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 65
BY SENATOR DORSEY
A RESOLUTION
To commend and congratulate Reverend Thomas N. Bessix on being named the President
of the Fourth District's Congress of Christian Education.
WHEREAS, Reverend Thomas N. Bessix has been a driving force for change by
setting ideas in motion, moving beyond mere rhetoric to overt acts of enlightenment; and
WHEREAS, in May 1996, Thomas N. Bessix was licensed as a minister and was
then ordained at Mt. Gideon Baptist Church in Maringouin, Louisiana under the leadership
of Reverend Reginal L. Pitcher in August of 1997; and
WHEREAS, on the first Sunday of July 2000, Reverend Bessix became pastor of
New Gideon Baptist Church located at 2542 Balis Drive in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, under the leadership of Pastor Bessix, Mt. Gideon's membership grew
spiritually as the attendance to Bible Study, Fulfillment Hour (Sunday School) and Sunday
Morning Worship grew tremendously; and
WHEREAS, in 2007, a second worship service was added along with the launching
of the construction of a new Educational/Life Center; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Thomas N. Bessix is an honor graduate of Shady Grove High
School, a graduate of Southern University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree
in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, and he
completed studies at Louisiana State University where he became certified in Special
Education and is currently enrolled at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary working
towards a Master's of Divinity in Biblical Languages; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Bessix is a member of the Fourth District Missionary Baptist
Association, East Baton Rouge Minister's Conference, Louisiana State Baptist Convention,
National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Thomas N. Bessix and his wife, Dr. Kimberly Davis Bessix,
have been married for eight years; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Bessix does not rest on his laurels, for each day brings fresh
opportunities for service and compassion as the church's mission is "to be a church driven SR NO. 65 ENROLLED
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by evangelism, just as that of Jesus Christ, to seek and to save that which is lost".
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend Reverend Thomas N. Bessix for outstanding contributions made on
behalf of his congregation, his community, and his state.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does
hereby commend Reverend Thomas N. Bessix for a job well done, as he embraces his term
as President of the Fourth District's Congress of Christian Education.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Reverend Thomas N. Bessix.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE