By: Jones, Jesse H.R. No. 289 73R4712 BNL-D 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.