2017 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 51
BY SENATOR TARVER
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To commend Pastor James C. Birdsong Jr. on his numerous accomplishments.
WHEREAS, James C. Birdsong Jr. was born on May 16, 1980, in Richmond,
California to the late Rev. James C. Birdsong Sr. and Belinda Germany-Birdsong; and
WHEREAS, he graduated with honors from Fairfield High School on June 12, 1998,
in Fairfield, California, and subsequently earned his bachelor of art's degree in biblical
education from Beulah Heights University in Atlanta, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Birdsong is currently pursuing his master of art's degree in
organizational leadership at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and plans to
complete the program by the spring 2018 semester; and
WHEREAS, he received his calling into the ministry at the tender age of three and
preached his first sermon at fifteen; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Birdsong is preparing for the release of his upcoming book, The
Best Is Yet To Come: A Testimony of One Young Man's Redemption, to be published and
released nationally by T&J Publishers in Atlanta, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, the Bible-based inspirational autobiography tells the story of his humble
beginnings in Richmond, California, and the history of his family lineage that consists of his
famous cousins, world-renowned R&B legend Cindy Birdsong of Patti & the Bluebells and
Diana Ross and the Supremes, Grammy Award winner and legendary organist/keyboardist,
Edwin Birdsong, and former NBA four-time All-Star basketball player Otis Birdsong; and
WHEREAS, the book also shares practical insight into how he overcame a
developmental disability and discusses his journey as a special education student which
resulted in his pursuit of a lifetime dream to be a part of the gospel music industry as a singer
and songwriter; and
WHEREAS, he will begin a national book tour to promote and share his story with
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millions of people of all ages and nationalities; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Birdsong has received numerous awards, accolades, and
proclamations recognizing his contributions in the gospel music industry, as well as his
leadership and record of public service in the community as a mentor and role model to our
nation's youth, and his name has been added to the Wall of Tolerance by the Southern
Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Alabama; and
WHEREAS, he is highly respected by pastors, politicians, members of the gospel
music industry, and peers on a national scale, and has been featured on television, radio, and
in-print media; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Birdsong is the founder and senior pastor of Gospel Outreach
Tabernacle Church in Austell, Georgia, and Nairobi, Kenya, with a third location being
planned in the state of North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, he was installed as the senior pastor of Gospel Outreach Tabernacle
Church on September 26, 2015, during a historical installation ceremony, The Dream Is Now
A Reality: An Installation for Pastor James C. Birdsong Jr., at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church
in Shreveport, Louisiana, with performances by Stellar Award nominated national gospel
recording artists Lillian Lilly of the world-renowned Mississippi Mass Choir and Eva
Sabiniano, and hosted by Shreveport-based national gospel radio personality Rev. Eddie
Giles of the Stellar Award-winning KOKA 980 AM radio; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Birdsong has family ties in the Shreveport area that have allowed
his family to be respected and recognized throughout the nation and abroad from ministry
to the entertainment arena; and
WHEREAS, he visits schools and speaks to young men and women encouraging
them to pursue their life potential and has been invited to speak at the historical Booker T.
Washington High School and Huntington High School in Shreveport, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Birdsong is a member of the Cobb County NAACP in Marietta,
Georgia, the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Gospel Music Workshop of America, the
Gospel Music Association, the Stellar Awards Gospel Music Academy, and, as a pastor, he
is an affiliated member of the Global United Fellowship in Nassau, Bahamas, where Bishop
Neil C. Ellis is the Presiding Prelate; and
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WHEREAS, the success of the state of Louisiana, the strength of our communities,
and the overall vitality of American society depends, in great measure, upon the dedication
of people like Pastor Birdsong who unselfishly use their faith and talent to encourage others
to follow their dreams.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend and congratulate Pastor James C. Birdsong Jr. on his numerous accomplishments
in the gospel music industry and at the pulpit and does hereby wish him every measure of
continued success in his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Pastor James C. Birdsong Jr.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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