By Black H.R. No. 425 74R8230 PFG-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor 1-2 Raymond Smith for his many years of exceptional service 1-3 administering to the spiritual and temporal needs of the citizens 1-4 of Killeen as a minister and as a dedicated civic leader; and 1-5 WHEREAS, A native of Georgia, Mr. Smith began his 1-6 multifaceted career as a delivery driver and meter reader and, at 1-7 the age of 19, met Patsy Thompson, with whom he fell in love and 1-8 eloped across state lines; in the ensuing years, the couple have 1-9 shared a happy and rewarding partnership, raising a close-knit 1-10 family that includes a daughter, Deborah, and a son, Jamie, as well 1-11 as Mrs. Smith's younger brother, Warren, whom the couple welcomed 1-12 into the fold after her parents passed away; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Having moved his family to Corpus Christi when he 1-14 accepted a managerial position with a shoe store in 1953, Mr. Smith 1-15 eventually opened his own business, the Red Carpet Cleaning 1-16 Company, and while running this successful enterprise, was ordained 1-17 a deacon in the Calvary Baptist Church in 1965; and 1-18 WHEREAS, This important milestone marked yet another turning 1-19 point in his career and, shortly thereafter, while volunteering as 1-20 a part-time youth director with the church, Mr. Smith made the 1-21 pivotal decision to sell his carpet cleaning business and move to 1-22 Fort Worth to attend the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1-23 from which he was graduated in 1973 as the oldest member of his 1-24 class at the age of 40; and 2-1 WHEREAS, After his graduation from the seminary, Mr. Smith 2-2 returned to the Calvary Baptist Church in Corpus Christi, where he 2-3 served as the church's education director and as the director of 2-4 the area's association of Sunday schools before being called to 2-5 Freeway Forrest Baptist Church in Houston; in his new position, he 2-6 was elected president of the Pastors Conference, becoming the first 2-7 minister of education to serve in that capacity, and during his 2-8 accomplished tenure with that group, he significantly increased the 2-9 organization's membership; and 2-10 WHEREAS, In 1978, this remarkable gentleman joined the First 2-11 Baptist Church in Killeen where he provided exceptional leadership 2-12 as the church's minister of education for many years and was the 2-13 person responsible for handling benevolent requests; it was while 2-14 serving in that position that he first became aware of the problem 2-15 of hunger in the area when many desperate families began to appear 2-16 at the church to ask for food; and 2-17 WHEREAS, Determined to see that needy individuals in the 2-18 community would not go hungry, Mr. Smith founded the Killeen Food 2-19 Care Center in 1987 after countless hours of hard work; taking a 2-20 substantial pay cut, he left his post with the church to assume the 2-21 directorship of the new center and soon had secured a plentiful 2-22 food supply from a local grocery store and a community development 2-23 block grant that enabled the center to relocate to a larger 2-24 facility in 1989; and 2-25 WHEREAS, An unselfish man who cares deeply for others, 2-26 Mr. Smith is highly regarded in Killeen for his tremendous 2-27 compassion, dedication, and generosity; a trusted friend and a 3-1 compassionate listener, he always finds time to visit the sick and 3-2 elderly and to help others with their problems, in addition to 3-3 providing a comforting presence during times of sorrow, as well as 3-4 times of joy; and 3-5 WHEREAS, For his exemplary work in behalf of his fellow 3-6 citizens, this distinguished gentleman received the 1988 Golden 3-7 Deeds Award from the Killeen Exchange Club and also has been 3-8 honored by the Central Counties Chapter of the National Association 3-9 of Social Workers and by the Greater Centriplex Civitan Club; and 3-10 WHEREAS, Cherished by his community for his selflessness, 3-11 integrity, and sense of humor, Raymond Smith has greatly benefited 3-12 the citizens of Killeen in countless ways and truly merits our 3-13 highest praise and recognition for his continuing contributions in 3-14 this regard; now, therefore, be it 3-15 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 3-16 Legislature hereby commend Raymond Smith for his many significant 3-17 contributions to the betterment of his community and extend sincere 3-18 best wishes to him for continued success and happiness in the years 3-19 to come; and, be it further 3-20 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-21 prepared for Mr. Smith as an expression of highest regard by the 3-22 Texas House of Representatives.