H.R. No. 762 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The family and friends of the Reverend E. Stanley 1-2 Branch were profoundly saddened by the death of this fine gentleman 1-3 on May 20, 1993, at the age of 86, and his passing is a tragic loss 1-4 to the community of faith at the 4th Missionary Baptist Church, 1-5 where he had ministered with exemplary dedication for so many 1-6 years; and 1-7 WHEREAS, Having been called to a religious vocation by his 1-8 deep faith and profound desire to serve his fellowman, this humble 1-9 servant of God dutifully entered a life of service at an early age 1-10 and went on to enjoy a long and fruitful Christian ministry that 1-11 spanned more than 60 years; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Devoting himself to spreading the Christian Gospel 1-13 63 years ago, he used his special gifts and talents, including his 1-14 exceptional leadership ability and organizational skills, to build 1-15 a dynamic, effective, and multifaceted ministry, and the small 1-16 congregation that consisted of 75 members when he started tending 1-17 to its spiritual needs grew under his pastoral care to number more 1-18 than 5,000 members at the time of his death; and 1-19 WHEREAS, His ministry was as innovative as it was effective, 1-20 and in 1941 he began a church radio program called "Charity Wheel," 1-21 which later became known as the "Old Fashioned Worship Service"; he 1-22 also showed his compassion and his willingness to tend to the 1-23 temporal needs of his people as well as to their spiritual needs 1-24 and started two housing developments in Houston and Hitchcock to 2-1 provide homes for low income families in those communities; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Though Reverend Branch did not seek individual 2-3 recognition for the labor he performed in the name of the Lord, he 2-4 became widely known and respected as a builder, organizer, and 2-5 political activist as well as spiritual leader; his achievements in 2-6 this regard led to his appointment to provide spiritual guidance as 2-7 a presidential advisor and his appointment by the governor of Texas 2-8 to serve on the State Board of Nursing Homes; and 2-9 WHEREAS, He also was an esteemed member of the Baptist 2-10 Ministers Association and of many boards and commissions, and his 2-11 reputation extended far and wide, even to Jamaica, where an 2-12 academic institution, Branch Texas College of Jamaica, was named in 2-13 his honor; and 2-14 WHEREAS, Engaged in a lifetime of service in the name of the 2-15 Lord for more than 60 years, the Reverend Branch provided spiritual 2-16 guidance, enlightenment, comfort, and support to countless 2-17 individuals over the years, and although his warm and comforting 2-18 presence will be greatly missed, his memory will long endure and 2-19 will continue to sustain those who were privileged to have known 2-20 and loved him during his time on earth; now, therefore, be it 2-21 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 2-22 Legislature hereby honor the memory of the Reverend E. Stanley 2-23 Branch and extend deepest sympathy to his wife, Delcenia Branch, to 2-24 his daughter, Losiedee Branch-Walker, and to all those who mourn 2-25 the passing of this exemplary Christian servant of God; and, be it 2-26 further 2-27 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-1 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 3-2 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 3-3 the Reverend E. Stanley Branch. 3-4 H.R. No. 762 3-5 the Reverend E. Stanley Branch. 3-6 Edwards 3-7 H.R. No. 762 3-8 _______________________________ 3-9 Speaker of the House 3-10 I certify that H.R. No. 762 was unanimously adopted by a 3-11 rising vote of the House on May 24, 1993. 3-12 _______________________________ 3-13 Chief Clerk of the House