By:  Johnson                                           H.R. No. 100
       73R2482 SRD-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, Throughout his long and fruitful life, Amos
    1-2  Henderson, Sr., has immeasurably enriched the lives of those around
    1-3  him, exalting the heavens and tirelessly working the land; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, Born November 4, 1909, in Nacogdoches, Mr. Henderson
    1-5  spent his young adulthood helping his father clear land for the
    1-6  family farm; and
    1-7        WHEREAS, After taking a job at a local sawmill, this
    1-8  industrious gentleman met his bride-to-be, the former Eula Mae
    1-9  Horn, whom he would wed on June 9, 1929; the couple was blessed
   1-10  with 10 fine children:  Earline, Harold, Bulillie, Amos, Jr.,
   1-11  Helen, Charles, Ruth, Shirley, Norman, and Carolyn; and
   1-12        WHEREAS, Faced with the difficult prospect of providing for a
   1-13  family in the teeth of the Great Depression, Mr. Henderson labored
   1-14  ceaselessly in the fields, losing neither his good cheer nor his
   1-15  faith in a brighter future; and
   1-16        WHEREAS, In 1950 this outstanding citizen answered a
   1-17  spiritual calling and founded the Sweet Union Church of God in
   1-18  Christ in Forest, Texas, where he pastored until 1984; more
   1-19  recently, he has shared his strong faith with others as the pastor
   1-20  of Davis Memorial Church of God in Christ in Nacogdoches; and
   1-21        WHEREAS, Although his loving wife passed away in 1954, a year
   1-22  in which he also lost his home and belongings in a fire,
   1-23  Mr. Henderson maintained his love of life, cheerfully devoting his
   1-24  time to farming, driving a school bus, and operating his appliance
    2-1  shop; and
    2-2        WHEREAS, In 1970 he continued to expand his varied interests,
    2-3  establishing a business as an earth mover contractor and winning
    2-4  election as county commissioner of Nacogdoches County, becoming the
    2-5  first African-American county commissioner in Texas; and
    2-6        WHEREAS, Mr. Henderson has been deeply committed to advancing
    2-7  the cause of social justice through the political process and was a
    2-8  founder of the Nacogdoches County Voters' League as well as an
    2-9  active member of the NAACP; and
   2-10        WHEREAS, This admirable gentleman continues to serve as  an
   2-11  inspiration to all who have the pleasure of knowing him, and his
   2-12  lifetime of service to family, friends, and community is indeed
   2-13  worthy of special legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it
   2-14        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
   2-15  Legislature hereby commend Amos Henderson, Sr., for his significant
   2-16  contributions to the betterment of his community and state and
   2-17  extend to him best wishes for continued success and happiness; and,
   2-18  be it further
   2-19        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-20  prepared for Mr. Henderson as an expression of high regard by the
   2-21  Texas House of Representatives.