H.R. No. 289
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The Reverend George Wynn Pryor has been honored as
1-2 Pastor of the Year for 1993 by the Interdenominational Ministers
1-3 Alliance, and this prestigious award is indeed a fitting tribute to
1-4 a gentleman who has spent so much of his life in service to God;
1-5 and
1-6 WHEREAS, A native Texan, Reverend Pryor was born on September
1-7 19, 1938, in Sulphur Springs, and was the 11th of 12 children born
1-8 to Claude and Eliza Wynn Pryor; he attended public schools in
1-9 Sulphur Springs before serving his nation as a member of the 82nd
1-10 Airborne Division of the United States Army; and
1-11 WHEREAS, In 1962, this devout individual received his calling
1-12 and began preparing for a life of religious service; he was
1-13 licensed in the gospel ministry by the Reverend L. G. Jackson,
1-14 pastor and moderator of the Third Avenue Baptist Church, before
1-15 being ordained in 1963; and
1-16 WHEREAS, Reverend Pryor furthered his education at the
1-17 Southern Bible Institute, where he earned his theology diploma and
1-18 a doctor of divinity degree, and at Bishop College, which awarded
1-19 him a bachelor of arts degree with a minor in philosophy; he has
1-20 also studied at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; and
1-21 WHEREAS, Motivated by a desire to found a church with
1-22 unlimited potential, this visionary man joined with 13 others to
1-23 establish the New Birth Baptist Church in Dallas; the first service
1-24 of the fledgling church was held in the home of Reverend Pryor and
2-1 his wife on November 15, 1964; and
2-2 WHEREAS, Today that congregation has grown to include more
2-3 than 4,000 members, and the church is located on a 13-acre lot that
2-4 leaves room for even further expansion; Reverend Pryor's Bible
2-5 study class includes 200 students, and his ministry has reached out
2-6 to thousands of Dallas residents through his inspirational radio
2-7 broadcasts; and
2-8 WHEREAS, Respected as a great teacher within his church, this
2-9 dedicated gentleman also has reached out to others in his community
2-10 as an instructor at the Southern Bible Institute and through his
2-11 numerous community service activities; he serves as second
2-12 vice-president of the Oak Cliff Baptist Ministers Union and is a
2-13 life member of the National Association for the Advancement of
2-14 Colored People; and
2-15 WHEREAS, Through his membership on several boards of
2-16 directors, this esteemed leader also serves numerous worthwhile
2-17 organizations, including the Southern Bible Institute, St. Phillips
2-18 School, the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, the Museum of African
2-19 American Art, the Bethlehem Foundation, and the Dallas Alliance;
2-20 and
2-21 WHEREAS, Throughout his lifetime of service, Reverend Pryor
2-22 has enjoyed a warm and loving relationship with his wife of more
2-23 than 30 years, Alma Jewell Harrison; their marriage has been
2-24 blessed with four children, Pamela Andrea, Darrell Wynn, Michael
2-25 Dewain, and Tammy Adrian, and the family takes great pride and joy
2-26 in Darrell Wynn's and Michael Dewain's decisions to follow in their
2-27 father's footsteps by dedicating their lives to the ministry; and
3-1 WHEREAS, In serving his family, his church, and his
3-2 community, this extraordinary gentleman has given selflessly of his
3-3 compassion and leadership while asking nothing in return; Reverend
3-4 Pryor has provided those around him with a shining model of
3-5 Christian faith and charity, and he serves as an inspiration to all
3-6 in his community; now, therefore, be it
3-7 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
3-8 Legislature hereby congratulate the Reverend George Wynn Pryor on
3-9 his selection as Pastor of the Year for 1993 by the
3-10 Interdenominational Ministers Alliance and extend to him warmest
3-11 best wishes for many more years of continued success and happiness;
3-12 and, be it further
3-13 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-14 prepared for Reverend Pryor as an expression of high regard by the
3-15 Texas House of Representatives.
3-16 prepared for Reverend Pryor as an expression of high regard by the
3-17 Texas House of Representatives.
3-18 Jones of Dallas
3-19 H.R. No. 289
3-20 _______________________________
3-21 Speaker of the House
3-22 I certify that H.R. No. 289 was adopted by the House on
3-23 February 25, 1993, by a non-record vote.
3-24 _______________________________
3-25 Chief Clerk of the House