88R29871 BK-D
 
  By: Turner H.R. No. 1850
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, Pastor Kennedy Jones was installed as president of
  the Arlington Branch of the NAACP on January 11, 2023; and
         WHEREAS, A native of Fort Deposit, Alabama, Pastor Jones
  holds bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering
  from the University of Alabama, and he has worked as an engineering
  dynamicist for LTV Aerospace and Defense Company in Dallas; he
  answered the call to the ministry at First Community Missionary
  Baptist Church in 1987, and he later became the founding pastor of
  Greater Community Missionary Baptist Church in 1991; and
         WHEREAS, Over the years, Pastor Jones has volunteered his
  time as a youth sports coach and mentor to young men in Arlington
  and Mansfield; he has also led his church in the creation of youth
  enrichment programs and in forming a partnership with Hope Tutoring
  Center to provide help to Arlington ISD students; and
         WHEREAS, The son of parents who were actively involved in the
  civil rights movement in Alabama, Pastor Jones has followed in
  their footsteps through his work in the areas of social and economic
  justice and criminal justice reform; he previously served as
  co-chair of the Religious Affairs Committee of the NAACP's
  Arlington Branch, which honored him with its Nelson Mandela Award
  in 2018, and he has done valuable work in the community as a member
  of the Arlington MLK Celebration Committee; in his role as
  president of the Arlington Ministerial Association, he has
  collaborated with the Arlington Police Department and the Tarrant
  County district attorney to address issues related to the improper
  use of deadly force by law enforcement against persons of color; and
         WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Pastor Jones enjoys the love
  and support of his wife of 40 years, First Lady Elaine Jones, and he
  takes great pride in their two children, Kenda and Kennedy; and
         WHEREAS, This esteemed clergyman has rendered immeasurable
  service to both his congregation and his community, and he is indeed
  deserving of the confidence that has been placed in him by the
  members of the NAACP Arlington Branch; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
  Legislature hereby congratulate Pastor Kennedy Jones on his
  installation as president of the Arlington Branch of the NAACP and
  extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for Pastor Jones as an expression of high regard by the
  Texas House of Representatives.