By: Barrientos S.R. No. 712
1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-2 WHEREAS, The Reverend Dr. Ralph M. Smith has faithfully
1-3 served the congregation of Hyde Park Baptist Church for the past 35
1-4 years, and the Texas Senate is proud to recognize this esteemed
1-5 churchman for his momentous contributions to the life of his
1-6 church; and
1-7 WHEREAS, On April 30, 1995, Dr. Smith will be honored by his
1-8 flock for his unfailing devotion to the ministry of the church and
1-9 to its community involvement; and
1-10 WHEREAS, A 1948 graduate of Hot Springs High School in
1-11 Arkansas, Dr. Smith attended the University of Arkansas and
1-12 graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with a bachelor's
1-13 degree in 1952; he continued his education at Southwestern Baptist
1-14 Theological Seminary where he earned a bachelor of divinity degree
1-15 in 1956 and a doctor of theology degree in 1960; and
1-16 WHEREAS, He began his ministry with a student pastorate at
1-17 the Brownstone Baptist Church in Brownstone, Arkansas, and the
1-18 Sayre Baptist Church in Reader, Arkansas; he became pastor of the
1-19 Lake Hamilton Baptist Church in Lake Hamilton, Arkansas, in 1951
1-20 and the Oak Grove Baptist Church in Ashtown, Arkansas, in 1953
1-21 before coming to Texas as pastor of the First Baptist Church in
1-22 Rosenberg; and
1-23 WHEREAS, Established in 1884, historic Hyde Park Baptist
2-1 Church had a membership of 1,700 when Dr. Smith became its pastor
2-2 in 1960; today the church has over 10,000 members and Sunday school
2-3 attendance has grown to an average of over 2,800; and
2-4 WHEREAS, With the church's phenomenal growth have come
2-5 numerous changes and additions; land has been purchased, houses
2-6 in the neighborhood removed, and buildings constructed to provide
2-7 for the congregation's needs; and
2-8 WHEREAS, In 1982, under Dr. Smith's leadership, church laymen
2-9 signed a note to purchase a 58-acre recreational facility inside
2-10 Austin called "The Quarries"; each week it is used by over 1,200
2-11 participants, including 68 softball teams, in planned recreational
2-12 activities; and
2-13 WHEREAS, Under his expert guidance, Hyde Park Baptist Church
2-14 has built nine churches and two missions throughout the Austin
2-15 area as well as a mission in Rio de Janeiro; the church also
2-16 provides three language mission churches that meet in the main
2-17 complex with their own pastors; and
2-18 WHEREAS, The fully accredited Hyde Park Baptist School system
2-19 provides excellent educational opportunities for 860 students from
2-20 grades kindergarten through 12 on its north and south campuses; and
2-21 WHEREAS, Over 300 individuals receive counseling each month
2-22 at the Hyde Park Counseling Center which is staffed by five
2-23 counselors and is self-supporting; other ministries of the church
2-24 include the tape and publication ministry, the radio and television
2-25 ministry, and the Friendship Program for 450 international wives;
3-1 and
3-2 WHEREAS, In addition to his ministerial duties, Dr. Smith has
3-3 devoted untold hours to community and civic affairs; a sought-after
3-4 speaker, he has preached at revivals and church conferences across
3-5 the country and at evangelistic crusades in Japan, Spain, China, and
3-6 Germany; and
3-7 WHEREAS, He is the author of several timely books based on
3-8 the Christian faith and has received several honors for his
3-9 outstanding accomplishments; Southwestern Baptist Theological
3-10 Seminary recognized Dr. Smith as a Distinguished Alumni in 1986
3-11 and honored Dr. Smith and his wife, Bess, when the seminary named
3-12 the Ralph M. and Bess N. Smith Chair of Preaching for the esteemed
3-13 couple; and
3-14 WHEREAS, A man of exceptional vision and intellect, Dr. Smith
3-15 has reassured countless individuals with his message of hope and
3-16 encouragement; his spiritual guidance has been a source of
3-17 inspiration for the Austin community; now, therefore, be it
3-18 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
3-19 74th Legislature, hereby commend The Reverend Dr. Ralph Smith
3-20 for his life of service to others and join the members of Hyde Park
3-21 Baptist Church in celebrating the 35th anniversary of his ministry
3-22 among them; and, be it further
3-23 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
3-24 Dr. Smith as an expression of the admiration and deep respect of
3-25 the Texas Senate.
4-1 ______________________________________
4-2 President of the Senate
4-3 I hereby certify that the above
4-4 Resolution was adopted by the Senate
4-5 on April 12, 1995.
4-6 ______________________________________
4-7 Secretary of the Senate
4-8 ______________________________________
4-9 Member, Texas Senate