By Howard H.R. No. 638
74R10252 SAJ-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 the Reverend Gerald B. Ray on the occasion of his 25th anniversary
1-3 as minister of music at First Baptist Church in Houston; he will be
1-4 honored for his many contributions to the Christian ministry at a
1-5 celebration during the week of May 15, 1995; and
1-6 WHEREAS, A native of Austin, he received his bachelor's
1-7 degree from The University of Texas before going on to earn both a
1-8 bachelor's degree and a master's degree in Christian music from
1-9 Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; and
1-10 WHEREAS, Reverend Ray was an organist and educational
1-11 assistant at Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin for many years
1-12 before becoming minister of music at Sagamore Hill Baptist Church
1-13 in Fort Worth, where he served for 16 years; and
1-14 WHEREAS, He began his distinguished tenure as minister of
1-15 music at First Baptist Church on May 17, 1970, and for the past 25
1-16 years has brought innovative and inspired leadership to the
1-17 church's musical program; and
1-18 WHEREAS, The church's ministry of music is noted for its
1-19 450-member choir and also boasts a full symphonic orchestra, five
1-20 handbell choirs, children's and youth choir programs, and several
1-21 vocal ensembles that perform at local churches, mission tours, and
1-22 special events throughout the Houston area; and
1-23 WHEREAS, The talented orchestra performs at most church
1-24 services and also has delighted countless Houstonians with
2-1 memorable performances at the city's annual Pops Concert and the
2-2 beloved Houston Christmas Pageant, which Reverend Ray has
2-3 developed, written, directed, and produced; now in its 25th year,
2-4 the pageant thrills as many as 48,000 people at 13 performances
2-5 each year, and it has reached more devoted fans through broadcasts
2-6 on local and national television; and
2-7 WHEREAS, Under Reverend Ray's guidance, the choir has
2-8 performed at numerous cultural, civic, and political events,
2-9 including the Texas Sesquicentennial Celebration at the Astrodome,
2-10 the Economic Summit, and the Republican National Convention of
2-11 1992; the choir also was featured at the ground-breaking ceremony
2-12 for NASA's space entertainment complex, and for five years it has
2-13 enchanted audiences as the featured choir at the Galleria shopping
2-14 center's Christmas tree-lighting ceremony; and
2-15 WHEREAS, Moreover, the choir has earned international acclaim
2-16 during its tours throughout the world, which have included visits
2-17 to Eastern and Western Europe, Asia, Mexico, and South America; it
2-18 was selected to sing for the European Baptist Convention's annual
2-19 encampment in Interlaken, Switzerland, in 1992, and upcoming events
2-20 will take it to the cities of Hong Kong and Guilin, China, later
2-21 this year; and
2-22 WHEREAS, During Reverend Ray's tenure, the choir has recorded
2-23 13 cassette albums and 14 Christmas Pageant videos, bringing its
2-24 devotional music to even wider audiences; Reverend Ray also is the
2-25 editor-producer of the well-received book Pageant, and he and his
2-26 wife, Trevelyn, who is an administrative assistant in the church's
2-27 music office, were featured in two instructional videos, "The Power
3-1 of Pageantry" and "The Glory of Pageantry"; and
3-2 WHEREAS, Well regarded throughout the ministry, Reverend Ray
3-3 also has shared his extensive knowledge of Christian music by
3-4 teaching a number of informative seminars at other churches; and
3-5 WHEREAS, Reverend Ray's outstanding contributions to the
3-6 ministry have earned him well-deserved recognition; he was named
3-7 Favorite Son of Sagamore Hill Baptist Church in 1992 and
3-8 Outstanding Alumnus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in
3-9 the following year, and he will be awarded an honorary doctorate
3-10 from Houston Baptist University in May 1995; and
3-11 WHEREAS, A devoted family man, Reverend Ray has been blessed
3-12 with a deeply fulfilling 37-year marriage to Trevelyn Reid Ray, and
3-13 they are the proud parents of two lovely daughters; and
3-14 WHEREAS, Throughout his distinguished tenure, Reverend Ray
3-15 has brought joy and beauty into the lives of countless Texans, and
3-16 he is indeed worthy of our highest praise and recognition as he
3-17 celebrates 25 years of service to his church; now, therefore, be it
3-18 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
3-19 Legislature hereby honor the Reverend Gerald B. Ray and extend to
3-20 him warmest best wishes on the occasion of his 25th anniversary as
3-21 minister of music at First Baptist Church; and, be it further
3-22 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-23 prepared for Reverend Ray as an expression of high regard by the
3-24 Texas House of Representatives.