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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Reverend D. N. Benford Sr. of Rising Star |
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Missionary Baptist Church in Texas City was recognized as the |
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longest-serving pastor of the same church by Guinness World Records |
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in 2022; and |
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WHEREAS, Called to the ministry at the age of 12, D. N. |
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Benford delivered his first sermon when he was 14; he went on to |
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serve as a guest pastor at Rising Star Missionary Baptist in 1947 |
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and preached for the congregation again in June 1950 before |
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officially assuming the pulpit on August 27 of that year; for the |
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past 72 years, he has provided valued inspiration and guidance to |
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his community of faith, gaining a wealth of wisdom and knowledge |
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along the way; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to leading his congregation, Reverend |
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Benford played an important role in fighting segregation in |
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Galveston County, with Rising Star serving as a headquarters for |
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the local civil rights movement; he was also a driving force in |
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integrating Texas City and La Marque High Schools and in helping the |
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first Black person to become a member of the La Marque Independent |
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School District Board of Trustees; and |
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WHEREAS, Throughout his remarkable tenure, Reverend Benford |
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has wholeheartedly committed himself to advancing the mission of |
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Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church, and he truly exemplifies the |
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highest standards of his vocation; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate the Reverend D. N. Benford Sr. of |
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Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church in Texas City on his |
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recognition as the longest-serving pastor of the same church and |
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extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Reverend Benford as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |