Session 2000
Effective: April 28, 2000
� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � SENATE RESOLUTION No. 1851 � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � A Resolution in memory of Bishop I.B. Brown.
� � � WHEREAS,� Bishop I.B. Brown, a fixture in the Topeka religious commu-
nity, died Saturday, March 18, 2000, at a Topeka hospital. He was 100 years
old; and

� � � WHEREAS,� Bishop Brown, who was born in Arkansas and grew up in the
Methodist Church, joined the Church of God in Christ in 1925. He began
preaching in 1926 and in 1927 became the pastor for churches in Bonner
Springs and Kansas City. He came to Topeka in 1936 to be the pastor of To-
peka's First Church of God in Christ. In 1967 he became a bishop overseeing
the activities of about 25 churches in Kansas while continuing as pastor of the
Topeka church. He stated he had an urge, a calling, and knew when he was 12
or 13 he would be a preacher. Over 80 years later he exclaimed there was no
retirement from the army he had joined; and

� � � WHEREAS,� Bishop Brown had the voice of a preacher. His voice could
swell with volume and then go soft and quiet. As a member of his congregation
stated, "He's not just talking. He's preaching."; and

� � � WHEREAS,� Bishop Brown was the youngest of four boys born to Lee and
Sally Brown. He recalled a joyous childhood filled with church, school and
playing baseball. He was a pitcher and stated he had a "terrible" sinker pitch;
and

� � � WHEREAS,� Bishop Brown stated he had never experienced prejudice. His
message was to get along with other people and to do what is right; and

� � � WHEREAS,� Bishop Brown's first wife, Charlie, died in 1974 after 56 years
of marriage; his second wife, Naomi, died in 1994 after 18 years of marriage
and his third wife, Avalon, survives: Now, therefore,

� � � Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Kansas:�That we honor the life
of I.B. Brown and express our appreciation for his many years of service as a
minister and bishop for the Church of God in Christ; and

� � � Be it further resolved:�That the Secretary of the Senate be directed to send
an enrolled copy of this resolution to Mrs. I.B. Brown, 1635 S.E. Hudson,
Topeka, Kansas 66607 and to Bishop Howard Cunningham, Pastor, First
Church of God in Christ, 614 S.E. California, Topeka, Kansas 66607.

Senate Resolution No. 1851 was sponsored by Senator Anthony Hensley.