By:  Davis                                             H.R. No. 548
       73R8879 PAN-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor
    1-2  Senior Bishop Caesar David Coleman on the joyous occasion of his
    1-3  50th anniversary as a spiritual leader with the Christian Methodist
    1-4  Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, The grandson of Nathanial Harris, who was one of the
    1-6  founders of the C.M.E.  Church, Bishop Coleman has been preaching
    1-7  for 57 years and began his remarkable career in the ministry at the
    1-8  Davidson Chapel in his hometown of West Point, Mississippi; and
    1-9        WHEREAS, A resident of the Lone Star State for two decades,
   1-10  this distinguished clergyman is currently completing his 20th year
   1-11  as the presiding bishop of the C.M.E. churches in the Eighth C.M.E.
   1-12  District, comprising 380 churches and 1.3 million parishioners in
   1-13  Texas; and
   1-14        WHEREAS, Bishop Coleman also serves as the chief executive
   1-15  officer of C.M.E. churches throughout the United States, as well as
   1-16  Haiti, Jamaica, and Africa; and
   1-17        WHEREAS, A man of extraordinary eloquence and vision, Bishop
   1-18  Coleman has been honored on numerous occasions for his vital
   1-19  contributions to the church and was one of only 38 individuals to
   1-20  have been named a World Religious Leader by the World Council of
   1-21  Churches; and
   1-22        WHEREAS, Recognized as one of the 100 most influential
   1-23  African-Americans by Ebony Magazine for eight straight years,
   1-24  Bishop Coleman also has been designated an honorary mayor of his
    2-1  hometown; and
    2-2        WHEREAS, Throughout his exceptional career, Bishop Coleman
    2-3  has enjoyed the love and support of his devoted wife of 37 years,
    2-4  Elizabeth Luellen, and the couple's fine son, Daryll Henry; and
    2-5        WHEREAS, In Bishop Coleman, the C.M.E. Church has found a
    2-6  preacher, a prophet, and a stalwart friend for the work of the
    2-7  ministry; his religious guidance and strong faith have provided
    2-8  comfort and inspiration to countless individuals and he indeed
    2-9  merits our highest praise and recognition for his many years of
   2-10  selfless contributions as a servant of the Lord; now, therefore, be
   2-11  it
   2-12        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
   2-13  Legislature hereby honor Senior Bishop Caesar David Coleman for 50
   2-14  years of outstanding service to the Christian Methodist Episcopal
   2-15  Church and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued
   2-16  happiness and fulfillment in the years to come; and, be it further
   2-17        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-18  prepared for Bishop Coleman as an expression of high regard by the
   2-19  Texas House of Representatives.