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CNN Live Event/Special
Remembering George Floyd. Aired 1-1:30p ET
Aired June 09, 2020 - 13:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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REV. GUSTA BOOKER, NEW TESTAMENT READING: God bless you.
First Thessalonians chapter 4 beginning at verse 13. But I would not have you to be ignorant brethren concerning them which are asleep that you sorrow not even to others which have no hope for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord that we which are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with a voice of the archangel and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord, well, for, comfort one another with these words.
God bless you.
REV. MARY WHITE, PRAYER OF COMFORT: In honor of our pastor, Remus Wright, and co-pastor, Mia K. Wright, and all of the dignitaries here in the sanctuary for this celebration. I also acknowledge Sherita, who is a valued member of our redeemed prison ministry. For those of you that don't know, we had letters coming from who are incarcerated as far away as Angola, Louisiana, because of what she's done for the kingdom. So we give you love.
In a moment of prayer, gather with me. Let's talk to God for a minute. Father, I stretch my hands to thee. Father, no other help do I know. And, God, if you withdraw yourself from us, Father, where shall we go? Father, we acknowledge you as the master, the creator, the sovereign God, the ruler, the God that is higher than high, more majestic than majesty, greater than great, more loving than love itself. God, you are God and you are sovereign. We welcome your presence that's already in this place.
Master, we thank you for this celebration. We thank you for the life of George Floyd, oh, God, that at a moment when he called out for his mama, we believed that the ears of mamas across this nation reared up, that the ears of mamas across this world heard him cry even though for one mama, all mamas began to wail. We began to wail for our children. We began to wail for our grandchildren. We wail for men across this world because of one mama's call. God, thank you. Thank you, God, today, Master. God, we thank you for what you're doing in this place, Father. We thank you that that I ask that you would ignite upon us, oh, God, cloven tongues of fire. Father, because cloven tongues of fire would decree and declare and proclaim righteousness. But fiery tongues come out in anger. Ignite in us again cloven tongues of fire.
God, right now, we are in a strange land and I heard the Psalmist say how can we sing in a strange land? I can sing because I know who reigns. We can sing because we know who God is, where God is and what God is about to do. That's how we can sing in a strange land.
God, it's a strange land when we have to make a law for what's to have empathy with our brothers and sisters, that empathy is not self- motivated but it is now become law-mandated. God, have mercy. God, help us in this place today. God, we pray for the family of George Floyd who is time after time after time again bourn private grief in public places. But, oh, I remember you said you bore our grief, our sorrows.
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So, Father, right now, undergird them in the name of Jesus. Remind them that underneath them are your everlasting arms. Remind them that this shall be an Ebenezer, this shall be a time of remembrance, this shall be after everybody has gone home, oh, God, remind the nation that this is our Ebenezer.
We speak and we decree and declaim that right now, Lord God, there shall be justice, that right now, there shall be a remnant that you have already risen up. Lord God, give them strength at this time of sorrow, undergird them.
Put your arms around them, oh, God, and let them know that my God is here, that my God is a comforter. And above all things we will celebrate, we will remember these days and we will call on God for our God shall come with a vengeance. Our God will avenge us. Our God will come. Ride on, King Jesus. Ride on, Emanuel. Ride on Conqueror King. We expect it. We believe it. Now, God, we lay hands on it in Jesus' name, amen.
DRAY TATE, HOUSTON GOSPEL SINGER: I was born by the river in a little town. Just like a river, I've been running ever since been a long, long time coming. But I know change going to come. Oh, yes, it will.
You spent too hard living but I'm not afraid to die because I know what's up there beyond the sky. It's been a long, long time coming but I know a change going to come. Oh, yes, it will.
Listen, then I go to my brother and I say, brother help me please. But he winds up knocking me back down on my knees.
Oh, there were times when I thought that I wouldn't last for long, but now I think I'm able to carry on. It's been a long, time coming, but I know, I know, I know a change going to come.
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Oh, yes, it will.
I know, I know a change going to come. Yes, it will. I believe, I believe that a change is going to come. Yes, it will. Say I know, I know, I know, I know a change is coming, yes. I said I know a change going to come. Yes, it will.
God bless you, brother.
REV. REMUS E. WRIGHT, SENIOR PASTOR, THE FOUNTAIN OF PRAISE CHURCH: Brother, that shows true skills right there. My, my, my. Amen. And thank you, Brother Dray, for that wonderful selection.
At this time, we're going to have resolutions read by one of the daughters of this house. She's gone on to do some phenomenal things for God and God is just blessing her all over the world and I speak of none other than Ivy McGregor. Greet her with a hearty amen right now.
IVY MCGREGOR, RESOLUTIONS: Thank you, Pastor Wright, to co-Pastor Mia Wright and certainly to this family, to Reverend Sharpton, to all dignitaries and all officials, to the family.
On behalf of the Fountain of Praise Church, our prayer for the family in this season and this unexpected time is to draw comfort from the facts that while this incident in untimely incidents, it is no surprise to the heavenly Father.
The bible says in Psalms 46:1, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. We stand fast in our faith that God will give you inner braces to prop you on every leaning side, may you feel the closeness of his comfort and the warmth of his presence as you cope with this heart rendering transition. We are praying for you, we are interceding on your behalf and want each of you to know that our love extends to you from Houston to all parts of the world.
To Sherita McGee Tate, a spiritual daughter of this house, our family members and all of the family members, we await the joy that comes in the morning after the weeping season. The bible says that our God will wipe away all tears from your eyes and soon your sorrow shall be swallowed up in joy. This is given on behalf of Pastors Remus and Mia Wright.
In his own way and for his own purpose, God has reached down into his garden to pluck one of his fairest flowers. Recently, God called the spirit of our dearly beloved brother George home to be with him throughout an eternity, whereas we the officers and the members of the Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church express love and respect to our departed brother.
We make these resolutions a copy which will be kept in our records. Be it also resolved that even as we mourn his departure, we resign to the will of an all-knowing and kind heavenly Father. We assure the family of the deceased that they have our lasting heartfelt sympathies. This is on behalf of the Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church, Reverend Ronald Booker Sr., Senior Pastor. On behalf of Jack Yates Senior High School, the resolution is for George Floyd, Class of 1993, whereas we are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved Jack Yates Lion, George Floyd, whom the Father has called from labor to reward, whereas George Floyd was a member of the legendary Jack Yates Class of 1993, was a respected leader among all Lions, served with character and distinction as an athletic, gifted member of the Mighty Lions.
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1992 runner-up state championship football team as the starting tight end and was a member of the high performing Mighty Lions Basketball team, who stood as a 6'6" power forward able to dunk with both hands, and whereas George Floyd lovingly known as Big Floyd and the gentle giant was steadfast in his kindness and devotion to helping his fellow Jack Yates Lions succeed through his genuine example of love, faith and generosity. Whereas George Floyd has left a legacy of love, loyalty and service to dear old Jack Yates High that will live on forever in our hearts.
Now, be it resolved that Jack Yates Senior High School embraces the Floyd family because of the love that we share. George Floyd and his big smile and sense of humor can never be replaced. But his legacy as a Lion, a father, a brother, his friend will be honored each time his family Jack Yates alumni are gathered. His beloved Third Ward community, friends and all others stand up and fight for justice in his name humbly submitted on this 9th day of June by the Jack Yates Senior High School.
The family of George Floyd would like to acknowledge the message of solidarity, resolution and visual tribute from his Excellency, Nana Akufo-Addo, the president of Ghana. Yesterday during the memorial, a video produced by the people of Ghana was broadcast for thousands of mourners as they paid their final respects to Mr. Floyd. The family is honored by President Akufo the decision to have Mr. Floyd's name permanently mounted in the historic Sekufu (ph) Wall at the Diaspora African forum and the WEB Du Bois Center in Africa.
They are grateful that the country of Ghana stands with the Floyd family and the struggle of all families to change the status quo of racism and prejudice. The family is deeply moved by the generous act of the Ghanaian government to solidify George Floyd's legacy
There have been countless other acknowledgements and resolutions. State Senator Royce West, NAACP Houston Branch Rodney Ellis, Commissioner Harris County, the Role L.A. (ph), The Church Without Walls, the Seventh Day Adventist Church, HISD, Louisiana State Senator Cubeis (ph), Texas State University, State Representative Ronald Ron Reynolds, Los Angeles Police Department, City of Los Angeles, Houston Community College, a poem submitted by Melinda Woods Smallwood (ph), Houston City Council Member Carolyn Shabazz, Alina Melana (ph), a county judge, and countless others.
And we do hope on behest of Pastor Wright and co-Pastor Mia Wright and the Fountain of Praise Church, we hope that the words that have been spoken and the words that have been written will bring you comfort in the days to come.
And while the world has been shaken and awakened by three words that your dearly beloved George Floyd spoke, I leave with you one word, his final word, which was, breathe. And breathe is not passive. No, sir. No, ma'am. Breathe is active. Breathe is inhale and exhale. Breathe is to be alive. And so we stay with this family as you breathe, we breathe with you. God bless you.
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KATHY TAYLOR: There's a name to call on.
When you're lonely and your heart is filled with despair, remember, God cares for you. And when you're in doubt and you can't find your way out, He will see you through, yes, He will.
Just call on the name of Jesus. Just call his name of God. Oh, I will. Precious is his name.
Well, when you're lonely and your heart is filled with despair, remember, God cares for you. And when you're in doubt and you can't find your way out, can I get one witness, He will see you through.
Just call on the name of Jesus. Just call on his name of God. Oh, I will. God you're wonderful. Precious is his name.
How precious is the name of Jesus? I tell you, He'll hear you every time you call. Oh, how precious is the name of Jesus.
Can I get a witness, won't he pick you up when you fall. His name is Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.
My joy in sorrow, hope for tomorrow. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Tremble at the name, Jesus. What happens here, take it, at the name, Jesus, ain't nobody to be called, ain't nobody to keep it down, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.
My way, Jesus. My way out, Jesus. My way over, Jesus. My way through, Jesus. Power in the name, power in the name, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.
The more I call, the better I feel, more I call Him, the better I feel, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. My rescue, Jesus. My protector, Jesus. My God, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. I call Jesus, the name, Jesus. My redeemer, Jesus. My answer, Jesus.
My victor, Jesus. My rescue, Jesus. The name, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Help me call if you know Him. Help me call Him, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.
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Oh, how precious is his name.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. There's just something about that name. Some called him Master, Savior, Jesus. To me, it's like the fragrance after the rain. Oh, if you know him this evening, help me call Him, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.
Let all of heaven and earth proclaim kings and kingdoms shall all pass away. But there's something about that.
Sometimes life can change suddenly and you find it hard to even breathe, so used to being strong. Now, I'm barely hanging on. Y'all we got to stand tall or two men would fall.
What would people say if they knew we felt this way. But God gave me this refrain and I'll never be the same. He reminded me that he would always be with us.
God is with us. God is with us. God is with us. God is with us. God is with us. Take courage, be of good courage. God is with us. God is with us.
It's the promise. I will not leave you. I will not leave you. Even if you're feeling alone right now, the devil is alive, I will not leave you. Jesus said, I will not leave you neither will I forsake you. I won't forsake you. Remember, God is with us
If you can right now, just sing that last line with me. God is with us.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Come on, Church, say amen.
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Come on, Church, say amen. Kathy Taylor. Kathy Taylor.
