HR1342: HR1342 Reverend Herman "Skip" Mason Day; 03/03/26; Reverend Herman "Skip" Mason; investiture as the 12th President of the Interdenominational Theological Center; recognize

26 LC 129 1068 House Resolution 1342 By: Representatives Berry of the 56th and Willis of the 55th A RESOLUTION Commending Reverend Herman "Skip" Mason on his investiture as the 12th President of the1 Interdenominational Theological Center and recognizing March 3, 2026, as Reverend2 Herman "Skip" Mason Day; and for other purposes.3 WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Herman "Skip" Mason, Jr., author and hist orian, is the senior4 pastor of Historic West Mitchell Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Georgia,5 as well as the President of the Interdenominational Theological Center; and6 WHEREAS, a proud native of Atlanta and an honors graduate of the Atlanta Public Schools,7 Dr. Mason matriculated and graduated from Morris Brown College and continued his8 education at Atlanta University, where he earned a master's degree in library and information9 science with a concentration in African American Studies; and10 WHEREAS, he is also a graduate of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta,11 where he obtained the Master of Divinity and the Doctor of Ministry degrees, respectively,12 in African American Church History, Social Justice, and Outreach; and13 WHEREAS, Dr. Mason has served as pastor of Greater Hopewell CME in Atlanta, St. James14 CME Church in Washington/Wilkes County, St. Paul CME Church in Athens, and "Mother"15 H. R. 1342 - 1 - 26 LC 129 1068 Trinity in Augusta, as well as serves as the Chair of the Joint Board of Finance and represents16 on the Archives Commission in the Sixth Episcopal District; and17 WHEREAS, a seasoned educator for over 30 years, he has served a s professor of history,18 college archivist, director and dean of students, and Vice Pres ident of Student Services at19 both Morris Brown College and Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia; and20 WHEREAS, he is the 33rd General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, member of the21 Atlanta Beltline Partnership Board, and serves on the National Board of Directors of the22 Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Foundation in Washington, D.C.; and23 WHEREAS, formerly the Dean of Library and Museum Service and Assistant Professor of24 African American History and Religion at Voorhees College in Denmark, South Carolina,25 he now dedicates his leadership to the Interdenominational Theo logical Center as its26 President; and 27 WHEREAS, Dr. Mason is the author of numerous books on the histo ry of African28 Americans' experience in Atlanta, Georgia, and the South, inclu ding Black Atlanta in the29 Roaring Twenties; Black Entertainment in Atlanta; African American Life in DeKalb County,30 Politics, Law, and Civil Rights in Atlanta; and Black American Series: East Point, Georgia;31 and32 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this exceptio nal author, historian, and33 community leader be appropriately honored.34 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that35 the members of this body commend Reverend Herman "Skip" Mason on his investiture as36 H. R. 1342 - 2 - 26 LC 129 1068 the 12th President of the Interdenominational Theological Cente r and recognize March 3,37 2026, as Reverend Herman "Skip" Mason Day.38 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized39 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution ava ilable for distribution to40 Reverend Herman "Skip" Mason.41 H. R. 1342 - 3 -