BOSTON — The Massachusetts House adopted a resolution honoring the 200th anniversary of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in New Bedford after the Rules Committee recommended adoption and members voted to suspend the rules to consider the measure.

The Rules Committee reported that resolutions filed by Representatives Cabral of New Bedford, Hendricks of New Bedford, Marquis of Dartmouth, Sylvia of Fairhaven and Lett of Westport "honoring the 200th anniversary of the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in New Bedford" "ought to be adopted." Representative Cabral moved to suspend the rules; the House agreed and then adopted the resolution by voice vote.

The action on the floor was procedural: the committee recommended adoption, members voted to suspend the rules to bring the resolution forward, and the membership approved the measure. The transcript does not record extended debate on the resolution or public testimony attached to it.

The resolution recognizes the church’s bicentennial milestone; the transcript does not include additional details about events or commemorations beyond the formal adoption recorded on the House floor.