The Mississippi House presented House Concurrent Resolution No. 11 Friday recognizing Bishop Bill McElilly for decades of pastoral leadership and public service.
A lawmaker who introduced McElilly described him as a Millsaps College alumnus and longtime United Methodist pastor who "successfully led the merger that created the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference" and "helped establish the Mama Lynn Center in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a sanctuary for women seeking healing and restoration." The presenter asked the body to pass the resolution unanimously.
Bishop Bill McElilly addressed the chamber and led the opening prayer, asking for guidance and humility as lawmakers deliberate. "Oh, God of wisdom and justice, we pause at the opening of this day to acknowledge your presence and to seek your guidance," he said.
The resolution was presented on the floor as a ceremonial recognition; the transcript records the request that it be passed unanimously but no roll-call tally for the resolution appears in the record. The House continued with its calendar after the presentation.