HLS 14RS-1576 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 33
BY REPRESENTATIVE PATRICK WILLIAMS
COMMENDATIONS: Commends Dr. Harry Blake for his contributions to at-risk youth
through the Canaan Boys Academy
A RESOLUTION1
To commend Dr. Harry Blake for his contributions to at-risk youth through the Canaan Boys2
Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana.3
WHEREAS, Dr. Harry Blake is a graduate of Bishop College in Dallas, Texas;4
served as a devoted pastor for the Mount Canaan Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana,5
for forty-eight years since 1966; currently holds the position as President Emeritus of the6
Louisiana Baptist State Convention; was appointed vice president for the Southwest Region7
of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc., in 2009; and8
WHEREAS, in 2010, Dr. Harry Blake was honored by receiving an Honorary9
Doctorate of Humanities from Louisiana Baptist University and the Louisiana Democratic10
Party's Lifetime Achievement Award; and11
WHEREAS, Dr. Harry Blake has notably held many honorable positions, such as12
general secretary of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc., moderator of the13
Thirteenth District Baptist Association, dean and vice president at large of the Congress of14
Christian Education of the Louisiana Baptist State Convention, and chairman of the15
Evangelical Board of the Louisiana Baptist State Convention; and16
WHEREAS, Dr. Harry Blake has devoted his time to enhance his local community17
in Shreveport by being a member of the Louisiana Recovery Authority Board, serving as18
president of the board of directors of a low-income housing complex and a senior citizen and19
handicap housing complex, and serving as a member for a development corporation for the20
revitalization of the Allendale community; and21 HLS 14RS-1576 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 33
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WHEREAS, other distinctive achievements of Dr. Harry Blake include serving as1
president of Project UpLift, a center for the development of human potential, serving on the2
board of directors for Shreveport Bossier Community Renewal, past president of the3
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, field secretary for Dr. Martin4
Luther King, Jr., and past president of Mount Canaan Day Care Center; and5
WHEREAS, because of Dr. Harry Blake's numerous accomplishments, he has been6
a guest lecturer at many colleges throughout the United States, some of which include7
Morehouse School of Divinity, Arkansas Baptist College, American Baptist College, and8
Birmingham Bible College; and9
WHEREAS, Mount Canaan Baptist Church was led by Dr. Blake in establishing a10
model prayer service that has been emulated throughout the nation; he has instituted11
ministries to serve all segments of the congregation and community, which include tutoring12
programs, children's and young adults' ministries, family ministry, and a prison ministry; and13
WHEREAS, Dr. Harry Blake's vision to serve his community has contributed to the14
creation of the Canaan Boys Academy, which is an academic program at Mount Canaan15
Baptist Church that aims to advance education in young African American boys in third16
through fifth grade; and17
WHEREAS, the Canaan Boys Academy seeks to improve the students' skills in18
reading, writing, and math.19
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the20
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Dr. Harry Blake for his contributions to at-21
risk youth through the Canaan Boys Academy.22
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted23
to Dr. Harry Blake.24
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Patrick Williams HR No. 33
Commends Dr. Harry Blake for his contributions to at-risk youth at Canaan Boys Academy
in Shreveport, La.