JOINT BOARD MATTER

Chairman Gerry Connolly
Supervisor Linda Smyth

Mr. Chairman: Reverend James E. Browne, Sr., was elected Pastor of The Second Baptist Church on July 19, 1972 (located on Costner Drive in Falls Church, Virginia). His chief ambition has been to fulfill, as much as possible, the dreams of his predecessor -- the Reverend W.E. Costner. I have received notice that this important citizen of the Providence District will be retiring soon.

Reverend Browne was born in Texarkana, Arkansas and reared in Texarkana, Texas. He earned B.S. and M.S. Degrees in Electrical Engineering and attended numerous schools to earn the M.A. in Theology and Doctor of Divinity. The degrees in religious education and in theology were earned at the Hamilton State University of Tuscon, Arizona.

Reverend Browne is active in many civic and religious organizations that include:

• the Arlington Community Action Board of Directors, where he provides assistance to underprivileged children
• the Northern Virginia Baptist Association, where he was the moderator for many years
• the Virginia Progressive National Baptist Convention
• the Baptist General Convention of Virginia
• the Lott Carey Foreign Mission
• and he served as the honorary President of the Northern Virginia Baptist Sunday School Convention

Reverend Browne is a life member of the Fairfax County Branch of the NAACP and was with the Oregon Branch of the NAACP for many years. In fact, he was even present during the Brown vs. Board of Education decision.

Clearly, Reverend Browne has had a great impact on the Northern Virginia region and Commonwealth of Virginia. Therefore, I move that we recognize Reverend Browne for his 32 years of service to the community and County at our January 24, 2005 meeting.