By Brimer, Hochberg                                    H.R. No. 629
       74R10961 KMP-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, For 40 years, the Westbury United Methodist Church
    1-2  has been an integral part of the community of Houston as well as a
    1-3  vibrant addition to the social and spiritual lives of generations
    1-4  of faithful members; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, Founded in the summer of 1955, the Westbury United
    1-6  Methodist Church held its first services in the Bellaire Community
    1-7  Center; the congregation also met in Bellaire High School before it
    1-8  was able to construct, with the assistance of the Methodist Board
    1-9  of Missions, a new house of worship on Willowbend Boulevard, where
   1-10  services were first held on December 22, 1957; and
   1-11        WHEREAS, Since that time, the church has expanded to include
   1-12  a children's wing and sanctuary as well as additional space for
   1-13  educational programs and church offices; plans are underway for a
   1-14  new family life center, and today the Westbury United Methodist
   1-15  Church continues to serve its nearly 2,000 members as a site for
   1-16  spiritual renewal and social gathering; and
   1-17        WHEREAS, The church will commemorate its 40th anniversary
   1-18  this year with no fewer than four separate events, including a
   1-19  Heritage Sunday lunch and reunion on April 23 that will be hosted
   1-20  by the Westbury United Methodist Women and a festive and exciting
   1-21  picnic lunch, concert, and ceremony on July 2; an afternoon tea on
   1-22  September 13 will bring together current and former members of the
   1-23  congregation for a tribute to the founders and past presidents of
   1-24  the Westbury United Methodist Women, and the celebrations will
    2-1  culminate on the weekend of October 14-15 with a gala event
    2-2  featuring food, historical displays, arts and crafts exhibitions,
    2-3  and a vast array of family activities; and
    2-4        WHEREAS, The Westbury United Methodist Church stands today as
    2-5  a tribute to the dedication and hard work of its members, past and
    2-6  present, who have devoted their time, energy, and resources, to
    2-7  ensure its continued existence as a house of God, and it is indeed
    2-8  appropriate that its members be given special legislative
    2-9  recognition and support at this time; now, therefore, be it
   2-10        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-11  Legislature hereby congratulate the Westbury United Methodist
   2-12  Church on the occasion of its 40th anniversary and commend its
   2-13  current and former members and ministers on the many significant
   2-14  contributions they have made toward making their community a better
   2-15  place in which to live, worship, and raise a family; and, be it
   2-16  further
   2-17        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-18  prepared for the Westbury United Methodist Church as an expression
   2-19  of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.