By:  Edwards                                           H.R. No. 762
       73R11619 JLZ-D
                                  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.