By Jones of Dallas H.R. No. 229 74R6018 WMS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of the Reverend Walter Bookman, at the 1-2 age of 83, has brought a great loss to the many friends and 1-3 relatives of this esteemed Texas clergyman; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A native of Elmore, he attended Southwestern 1-5 Theological Seminary and Bishop College, where he attained his 1-6 degree in theology in 1957; and 1-7 WHEREAS, This inspirational individual began his career as a 1-8 mechanic and was quite gifted in that work, but in 1938 he answered 1-9 the call to the ministry, taking a position as pastor in Frisco; 1-10 and 1-11 WHEREAS, After serving the spiritual needs of worshipers in 1-12 Frisco and Carrollton for seven years, Reverend Bookman founded the 1-13 New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in West Dallas; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Despite its humble beginning when it was housed in a 1-15 rented shack made of apple boxes and lard cans, the church was able 1-16 to enjoy extraordinary success in attracting new churchgoers as 1-17 Reverend Bookman fostered his church through a period of 1-18 exceptional growth, which twice required relocation to larger sites 1-19 to accommodate new members; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Reverend Bookman was an active and respected voice 1-21 within the religious community, serving with distinction as 1-22 president of the Dallas West Ministerial Alliance and vice 1-23 president of the Interdenominational Minister's Alliance, and for 1-24 his remarkable work he was designated as the latter organization's 2-1 man of the year in 1985; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Throughout his many years of exemplary service, 2-3 Reverend Bookman placed the needs of his congregation and community 2-4 above all else; although his strength and wisdom will be missed by 2-5 all who knew him, his remarkable spirit will live on in the hearts 2-6 of the many people whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it 2-7 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-8 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Reverend Walter 2-9 Bookman and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: 2-10 to his daughter, Rose Evelyn Roberts; to his brother, Fred Bookman; 2-11 to his nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; and to the 2-12 many other friends and relatives of this beloved gentleman; and, be 2-13 it further 2-14 RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared 2-15 for the members of his family and that when the Texas House of 2-16 Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of the 2-17 Reverend Walter Bookman.