James T. Morris
Rev. James T. Morris is a Missouri State Representative, elected in 2008 and represents District 58. Born in Paducah, Kentucky,Morris currently resides in St. Louis City with his wife, Lisha DeGail Morris. They have three children; Damien, Tyler and Dominique. [1]
Education
A 1980 graduate of Paducah Tilghman High School in Paducah, Kentucky, Morris received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science/Public Administration from Murray State University in 1986. He went on to receive a Masters of Arts in Religious Studies from Ashford University and a Doctorate of Divinity from Canterbury University. [2]
Professional Experience
In addition to his legislative duties, Morris is the Senior Pastor of Lane Tabernacle Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Morris entered the Ministry in 1979 and has pastored in the states of Kentucky, Georgia, Colorado, Kansas, Illinois and Missouri.
- Pastor, Lane Tabernacle Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 2000-present
- Pastor, Saint James Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 1995-2000
- Director of Student Development, Saint Paul School of Theology, 1993-1995
- Pastor, Saint Peter Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 1991-1995.[3]
Organizations
Morris has served as president of Missouri ACORN Clergy Association, and vice president of the Interfaith Partnership of Metropolitan St. Louis. He was a charter member of Clergy and Citizens for Safety and Justice and president of Operation Respond and Provide St. Louis. In addition, he has served as chairman of the Board of Civil and Human Rights for SEIU Local 2000; a member of the Board of Directors of St. Louis Jobs for Justice; a member of the Religious Leaders Coalition of the Missouri Democratic Party; a member of the Board of Directors for the Interfaith Partnership. He also is a member of the NAACP, Faith Beyond Walls, Human Enrichment and Development Association, Family and Children Services Association, Missouri Christian Health Alliance, Missouri Healthcare for All, and the St. Louis Clergy Coalition. Morris is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. [4]
- President, Metropolitan Organization Strengthening and Empowering Society, 2008-present
- Board Member, Health Care for All, 2007-present
- Board Member, In It to Win, 2007-present
- Member, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Saint Louis, 2004-present.[5]
UMS Town hall meeting
On July 11, 2005, Congressman William Lacy Clay, Jr. held a town hall meeting at the Millennium Student Center on the UM-St. Louis campus. The discussion on social security was moderated by Julius Hunter, vice president of community relations at St. Louis University and former news anchor for KMOV Channel 4. Panel members included Rep. Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D-University City); Rev. James Morris, of St. Louis Interfaith Partnership; Thomas Helton, executive board member of ASUM; and Margarida Jorge, director of Missourians United to Protect Social Services. Several hundred community members attended the meeting, which was followed by a reception with Clay.[6]
JwJ Faith Committee
In 2008, members of the Missouri Jobs with Justice Faith Committee included: The Rev. Teresa Mithen and The Rev. Tommie Pierson (co-chairs), Jerry Hochsztein, Rhona Lyons, The Rev. Audrey Hollis, The Rev. Beverly Stith, The Rev. James T. Morris, The Rev. Walter Maddox, Bishop Anthony Taylor, and Katrina Molnar.[7]
Communist Party Herschel Walker award event
The Missouri Communist Party USA's Friends of the People’s World hosted their 18th annual ‘Hershel Walker Peace and Justice Awards Breakfast’ Saturday, May 8, 2010, at the CWA Local 6300 Union Hall, 2258 Grissom Drive (in the Westport area), St. Louis.
Newspaper Guild International President Bernie Lunzer was the main speaker for the event.
The honorees were:
- Tony Harris, President American Postal Workers Union (labor)
- Martin Rafanan, Ex. Director Gateway Homeless Services (community)
- State Senator Rita Heard Days, D-14 (public service)
- Clem Smith, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (civil rights)
The awards honor the memory of late Communist Party USA member Hershel Walker, a Missouri labor and civil rights activist, who died in 1990 at the age of 81. Walker’s life – which spanned 60 years of activism – ended tragically when hit by a car on his way to deliver petitions to save 4,000 jobs at the Chrysler Plant.[8]
Known attendees included Communist Party USA affiliates, Tony Pecinovsky, Jim Wilkerson, Zenobia Thompson, Lew Moye, Glenn Burleigh, Julie Terbrock, John Bowman, Joe Thomas, Jeanette Mott Oxford, Democratic Socialists of America member Joan Suarez, plus Mahrya Monson, Don Giljum, Jessica Pace, Jason Kennedy, Jennifer Rafanan, Solveig Paulson, Dr. Greg Miday, Roosevelt Stewart, Michael Vossler, Maria Chappelle-Nadal, Richard Von Glahn, Shannon Duffy and State Rep. James Morris. [9]
References
- ↑ [[1]]Official Bio. Accessed 06/28/11.
- ↑ [[2]]Official Bio. Accessed 06/28/11.
- ↑ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Re-Elect-State-Representative-James-T-Morris-58th-Dist-St-Louis-Missouri/126540814025573 Re-Elect-State-Representative-James-T-Morris Facebook page, accessed Jan. 9 2011]
- ↑ [[3]]Official Bio. Accessed 06/28/11.
- ↑ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Re-Elect-State-Representative-James-T-Morris-58th-Dist-St-Louis-Missouri/126540814025573 Re-Elect-State-Representative-James-T-Morris Facebook page, accessed Jan. 9 2011]
- ↑ UMS legislative update, April 2005, Congressman Clay holds town hall meeting at UM-St. Louis
- ↑ Miss. JwJ newsletter, June 2008 issue
- ↑ [ http://www.stlouisguild.org/headlines/?p=880St. Louis Newspaper Guild, Guild I.P. Bernie Lunzer to speak Saturday morning at CWA Local 6300, May 5th, 2010]
- ↑ [Martin Rafanan Flickr photostream, accessed Jan. 8, 2010]