HR 1342: Reverend Herman "Skip" Mason Day; 03/03/26; Reverend Herman "Skip" Mason; investiture as the 12th President of the Interdenominational Theological Center; recognize

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 the Interdenominational Theological Center and recognizing March 3, 2026, as Reverend Herman "Skip" Mason Day; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Herman "Skip" Mason, Jr., author and historian, is the senior pastor of Historic West Mitchell Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as the President of the Interdenominational Theological Center; and

WHEREAS, a proud native of Atlanta and an honors graduate of the Atlanta Public Schools, Dr. Mason matriculated and graduated from Morris Brown College and continued his education at Atlanta University, where he earned a master's degree in library and information science with a concentration in African American Studies; and

WHEREAS, he is also a graduate of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, where he obtained the Master of Divinity and the Doctor of Ministry degrees, respectively, in African American Church History, Social Justice, and Outreach; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Mason has served as pastor of Greater Hopewell CME in Atlanta, St. James CME Church in Washington/Wilkes County, St. Paul CME Church in Athens, and "Mother" Trinity in Augusta, as well as serves as the Chair of the Joint Board of Finance and represents on the Archives Commission in the Sixth Episcopal District; and

WHEREAS, a seasoned educator for over 30 years, he has served as professor of history, college archivist, director and dean of students, and Vice President of Student Services at both Morris Brown College and Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, he is the 33rd General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, member of the Atlanta Beltline Partnership Board, and serves on the National Board of Directors of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Foundation in Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, formerly the Dean of Library and Museum Service and Assistant Professor of African American History and Religion at Voorhees College in Denmark, South Carolina, he now dedicates his leadership to the Interdenominational Theological Center as its President; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Mason is the author of numerous books on the history of African Americans' experience in Atlanta, Georgia, and the South, including Black Atlanta in the Roaring Twenties; Black Entertainment in Atlanta; African American Life in DeKalb County, Politics, Law, and Civil Rights in Atlanta; and Black American Series: East Point, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this exceptional author, historian, and community leader be appropriately honored.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body commend Reverend Herman "Skip" Mason on his investiture as the 12th President of the Interdenominational Theological Center and recognize March 3, 2026, as Reverend Herman "Skip" Mason Day.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Reverend Herman "Skip" Mason.