HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature is proud to honor the Reverend 1-2 Curtis Thorpe on the occasion of his 50th anniversary as pastor of 1-3 Temple Baptist Church in Odessa; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A native Texan, he was born to William and Winnie 1-5 Thorpe on December 9, 1910, and he preached his first sermon at a 1-6 mine near Carlsbad, New Mexico; and 1-7 WHEREAS, While a student at Fort Worth's Bible Baptist 1-8 Seminary, he ministered to a congregation in Jacksboro, and after 1-9 his graduation in 1942, he became pastor of the Fundamental Baptist 1-10 Church in Fredonia, Kansas; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Reverend Thorpe began his pastorate at Temple 1-12 Baptist Church in September 1947, where he has offered hope and 1-13 understanding to church members for the past five decades; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Under his guidance, the church has experienced a 1-15 welcomed and exceptionally vibrant period of growth; when he began 1-16 his ministry, he preached to 40 individuals in a small building on 1-17 an unpaved road, and today, he stands at the helm of the city's 1-18 largest congregation, with a building complex that spans three city 1-19 blocks; and 1-20 WHEREAS, The church now has a pastoral staff of ten ministers 1-21 who work to address the diverse needs of the community, and their 1-22 good works have enhanced the quality of life in Odessa in myriad 1-23 ways; and 1-24 WHEREAS, A devoted family man, Reverend Thorpe is married to 2-1 the former Dorothy Fogle, and the couple are the proud parents of 2-2 Jerry and Paul Thorpe; their family has grown to include their 2-3 children's spouses, Freddie and Kay Thorpe; their grandchildren, 2-4 Cheryl Davis, Alan Thorpe, Kyle Thorpe, Darren Thorpe, Damon 2-5 Thorpe, and Mandy Thorpe; and their great-grandchildren, Neiki and 2-6 Dustin Davis and Jerilyn Thorpe; and 2-7 WHEREAS, In Reverend Thorpe, the church has found both a 2-8 preacher and a stalwart friend for the work of the ministry; his 2-9 religious guidance has provided comfort and spiritual support to 2-10 countless individuals, and he is indeed worthy of our highest 2-11 praise and recognition as he prepares to celebrate 50 years of 2-12 service to his church; now, therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-14 hereby honor the Reverend Curtis Thorpe and extend to him warmest 2-15 best wishes on the occasion of his 50th anniversary as pastor of 2-16 Temple Baptist Church; and, be it further 2-17 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-18 prepared for Reverend Thorpe as an expression of high regard by the 2-19 Texas House of Representatives and Senate. West _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 290 was adopted by the House on May 29, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 290 was adopted by the Senate on May 29, 1997, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor