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.