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.