By Giddings                                       H.R. No. 40

      75R4191 SAJ-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, During his 33 years in the Christian ministry, the

 1-2     Reverend Dr. Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr., of Dallas has faithfully

 1-3     served the spiritual needs of his community, and his genuine regard

 1-4     for the welfare of others has enriched the lives of many people;

 1-5     and

 1-6           WHEREAS, A native of San Angelo, he was graduated from

 1-7     Huston-Tillotson College before earning both a bachelor of divinity

 1-8     degree and a master of sacred theology degree from Southern

 1-9     Methodist University, and he continues to have a profound effect on

1-10     religious education today as an associate professor with the

1-11     university's Perkins School of Theology; and

1-12           WHEREAS, In 1958, Dr. Holmes began his pastoral career at

1-13     Hamilton Park United Methodist Church, where he served with the

1-14     utmost distinction for the next decade; since that time, he has

1-15     gone on to offer religious guidance to the members of his

1-16     congregation as senior pastor of St. Luke "Community" United

1-17     Methodist Church for the past 23 years; and

1-18           WHEREAS, He has also shared his faith with countless others

1-19     as the author of the works Encountering Jesus and "Black and United

1-20     Methodist," which is featured in Our Time Under God Is Now, and as

1-21     the  narrator of Disciple, an inspirational Bible study video; and

1-22           WHEREAS, This esteemed clergyman has continued to serve the

1-23     Lord through his work with several religious organizations,

1-24     including the Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church, the

 2-1     Greater Dallas Community of Churches, and the Society for the Study

 2-2     of Black Religion; the superintendent of the Dallas Central

 2-3     District for the North Texas Conference for six years, Dr. Holmes

 2-4     has served as a delegate to several conferences sponsored by his

 2-5     denomination as well; and

 2-6           WHEREAS, His civic involvement with both youth and adults has

 2-7     earned him the respect and gratitude of his community, and his

 2-8     humanitarian efforts have had a tremendous impact on the world

 2-9     around him; Dr. Holmes truly embodies the highest ideals of

2-10     Christian service and compassion, and his special ability to touch

2-11     the hearts of others places him among the foremost members of his

2-12     vocation; and

2-13           WHEREAS, Dr. Holmes further affected issues vital to the

2-14     community as a member of the Texas House of Representatives from

2-15     1968 to 1972, and today he offers wise and thoughtful insight as a

2-16     regent with The University of Texas System and as a board member of

2-17     Comerica Bank, the State Fair of Texas, and the Dallas Foundation;

2-18     and

2-19           WHEREAS, Dr. Holmes's exceptional  service has earned him

2-20     much renown; he has been awarded honorary degrees from Dillard

2-21     University in New Orleans and Huston-Tillotson College in Austin,

2-22     and he has received several prestigious accolades, including the

2-23     Junior Black Academy of Arts and Letters' Living Legend Award,

2-24     Huston-Tillotson College's Humanitarian Award, and the Dallas Peace

2-25     Center's Peace Maker Award; through all his endeavors, he has

2-26     enjoyed the love and support of his devoted wife, Dorothy Burse

2-27     Holmes; and

 3-1           WHEREAS, In Reverend Holmes, the church has found a teacher,

 3-2     a counselor, and a stalwart friend for the work of the ministry;

 3-3     his guidance has provided comfort and spiritual support to

 3-4     countless individuals, and he is indeed worthy of our highest

 3-5     praise and recognition at this time; now, therefore, be it

 3-6           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

 3-7     Legislature hereby commend the Reverend Dr. Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr.,

 3-8     for his outstanding service to the church and to the members of his

 3-9     community and extend to him warmest best wishes for many more years

3-10     of continued success and fellowship; and, be it further

3-11           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

3-12     prepared for Dr. Holmes as an expression of highest regard by the

3-13     Texas House of Representatives.