By:  Ellis                                              S.R. No. 30
    1-1                           SENATE RESOLUTION
    1-2        WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas proudly
    1-3  recognizes The Right Reverend Maurice M. Benitez, D. D., for his
    1-4  14 years of loyal service as Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of
    1-5  Texas; and
    1-6        WHEREAS, A highly accomplished scholar and theologian,
    1-7  Bishop Benitez earned a bachelor of divinity degree in 1958 and
    1-8  a doctor of divinity degree in 1973 from the School of Theology,
    1-9  University of the South; and
   1-10        WHEREAS, Ordained as a priest in 1959, Bishop Benitez
   1-11  served in parishes in Florida until 1968 when he became Rector of
   1-12  Christ Episcopal Church in San Antonio; he then served as Rector
   1-13  of the Episcopal Church of Saint John the Divine in Houston from
   1-14  1974 to 1980; and
   1-15        WHEREAS, Elected Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas
   1-16  in 1980, Bishop Benitez has ministered faithfully to the needs of
   1-17  innumerable Christians; and
   1-18        WHEREAS, Under his outstanding leadership and guidance,
   1-19  Episcopal churches throughout Texas have provided enlightenment,
   1-20  hope, and support to their communities; and
   1-21        WHEREAS, In addition to attending to the needs of his
   1-22  churches, Bishop Benitez has been serving as Chairman of the
   1-23  Board of Directors of Saint Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston,
    2-1  Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Episcopal Theological
    2-2  Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, and Chairman of the Board of
    2-3  Trustees of Saint Stephen's School in Austin; he also serves as a
    2-4  member of the Board of Trustees of the Baylor College of Medicine
    2-5  in Houston and the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee;
    2-6  and
    2-7        WHEREAS, A man of great spiritual depth and devotion,
    2-8  Bishop Benitez has been a source of strength and inspiration
    2-9  to Episcopal priests throughout the state, and his work has had
   2-10  a positive influence on the lives of countless citizens; now,
   2-11  therefore, be it
   2-12        RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
   2-13  74th Legislature, hereby commend The Right Reverend Maurice
   2-14  M. Benitez, D. D., for his fervent service to the Episcopal
   2-15  Church, his fellowman, and the State of Texas and extend to
   2-16  him best wishes for the retirement years ahead; and, be it
   2-17  further
   2-18        RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared
   2-19  for him as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
   2-20                               ______________________________________
   2-21                                       President of the Senate
   2-22                                    I hereby certify that the above
   2-23                               Resolution was adopted by the Senate
   2-24                               on January 16, 1995.
   2-25                               ______________________________________
    3-1                                       Secretary of the Senate
    3-2                               ______________________________________
    3-3                                        Member, Texas Senate