By: Moncrief S.R. No. 900 1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION 1-2 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 1-3 recognize the Reverend Robert Boyd Gray, Pastor of the Greater Saint 1-4 Stephens Missionary Baptist Church, for his 45 years of distinguished 1-5 service to his congregation; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Throughout his long career Reverend Gray has ministered 1-7 faithfully to the spiritual lives of countless Christians; and 1-8 WHEREAS, He has dedicated his life to ministering to the 1-9 needs of all those who came to him with their concerns, and the 1-10 beloved pastor has earned the respect and friendship of all whose 1-11 lives he has touched; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Born in Carthage, Texas, on April 17, 1913, 1-13 Reverend Gray received his bachelor of theology degree and Honorary 1-14 Doctorate of Divinity from the College of Natchez, in 1-15 Natchez, Mississippi; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Well prepared intellectually to serve in his role 1-17 as pastor, the Reverend Gray is an influential religious leader; 1-18 he organized and served as pastor of the Friendship Baptist Church 1-19 from 1943 to 1948; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Dedicated to his vocation, he is a strong defender 1-21 of the Baptist faith and interested in the development of the church; 1-22 Reverend Gray organized the New Baptist District Association in 1970; 1-23 and 2-1 WHEREAS, Reverend Gray married his wife, Elvera, on 2-2 November 10, 1930, and is the father of six daughters and three sons; 2-3 he is the proud patriarch of 35 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren, 2-4 and four great-great-grandchildren; and 2-5 WHEREAS, During his ministry, Reverend Gray has been 2-6 strengthened by the love and support of his wife and their children; 2-7 now, therefore, be it 2-8 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-9 73rd Legislature, hereby join the congregation of the Greater 2-10 Saint Stephens Missionary Baptist Church in commending the 2-11 Reverend Robert Boyd Gray for his fervent devotion to his church, 2-12 his fellowman, and his community; and, be it further 2-13 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 2-14 him as an expression of the admiration and high regard of the 2-15 Texas Senate. 2-16 _____________________________________ 2-17 President of the Senate 2-18 I hereby certify that the 2-19 above Resolution was adopted by 2-20 the Senate on May 10, 1993. 2-21 _____________________________________ 2-22 Secretary of the Senate 2-23 _____________________________________ 2-24 Member, Texas Senate