H.R. No. 123 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, For more than a decade, Dr. Gerald Mann has given 1-2 the members of this chamber the benefit of his strong faith, 1-3 wisdom, and humor as chaplain of the house of representatives, and 1-4 his meaningful prayers have enabled this body to begin each day on 1-5 a positive note; and 1-6 WHEREAS, A native of West Columbia, Dr. Mann is a graduate of 1-7 the University of Corpus Christi and holds a master's degree in 1-8 theology and a doctorate in philosophy from the Southwestern 1-9 Baptist Theological Seminary; and 1-10 WHEREAS, This esteemed clergyman began his first tenure as 1-11 chaplain of the house of representatives during the 66th 1-12 Legislature, and he has continued to share his inspired words with 1-13 elected officials in the ensuing years as the chaplain for the 1-14 69th, 70th, 71st, 72nd, 73rd, and 74th legislative sessions; and 1-15 WHEREAS, In his work outside the legislature, Dr. Mann is the 1-16 pastor of one of the 10 fastest growing churches in America, 1-17 Riverbend Church in Austin, and can count among the more than 4,000 1-18 members of his congregation such prominent Texans as Darrell Royal, 1-19 Willie Nelson, Larry Gatlin, and Tom Kite; and 1-20 WHEREAS, He also reaches more than 20 million homes through 1-21 the media of television as the host of the popular live call-in 1-22 program, "Common Sense Religion," and has authored five books, 1-23 including The Seven Deadly Virtues, Why Does Jesus Make Me 1-24 Nervous?, Common Sense Christianity, When the Bad Times are Over 2-1 for Good, and When One Day at a Time is Too Long; and 2-2 WHEREAS, The members of this chamber are indeed fortunate to 2-3 have a preacher of Dr. Mann's stature to guide us in our work each 2-4 day and it is fitting that we commend him for his exceptional 2-5 efforts in this regard; now, therefore, be it 2-6 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-7 Legislature hereby commend Dr. Gerald Mann for his outstanding 2-8 service as house chaplain and extend warmest best wishes to him for 2-9 continued success and fulfillment in the years to come; and, be it 2-10 further 2-11 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-12 prepared for Dr. Mann as an expression of high regard by the Texas 2-13 House of Representatives.