U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D.-La., has introduced a congressional resolution congratulating the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) for electing as president Fred Luter Jr., the first African-American to hold the post.
Landrieu notes the historical significance of Luter’s election and honors the SBC’s commitment to ethnic inclusion. Luter is pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans.
“Whereas the election of Reverend Luter brings great pride and honor to the membership of the Southern Baptist Convention,” the resolution reads in part, “be it resolved that the Senate congratulates the Southern Baptist Convention for electing Reverend Fred Luter, Jr., as the president of the Southern Baptist Convention; acknowledges Reverend Luter’s unique role as the first African-American leader of the Southern Baptist Convention; and honors the commitment of the Southern Baptist Convention to an inclusive faith-based community and society.”
Landrieu notes the SBC’s 1978 resolution against racism and its 1995 resolution apologizing for slavery as well as Luter’s role in resurrecting Franklin Avenue Baptist Church from the destruction of 2005’s Hurricane Katrina.
The June 29 resolution was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary and does not require the approval of the House of Representatives.
(BP)
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