R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The State of Texas has achieved the success it 1-2 enjoys today because of the hard work and commitment of its many 1-3 outstanding citizens; and 1-4 WHEREAS, The Griffin family of San Antonio has continued a 1-5 proud tradition of excellence by maintaining the remarkable spirit 1-6 and initiative of its ancestors, and it is a distinct privilege to 1-7 honor these eminent Texans at this time; and 1-8 WHEREAS, The family's history dates back to 1839 when Horace 1-9 Griffin, Sr., was born into slavery in Arkansas; he worked on the 1-10 Orange Plantation in Uvalde, and after the Civil War ended, he 1-11 began his life anew in San Antonio; and 1-12 WHEREAS, His son, Ellis Abraham Griffin, Sr., wed Armethia 1-13 Gonzales, and the couple enjoyed a deeply fulfilling union that was 1-14 blessed with nine children: Louise, Horace, George, Ellis, Jr., 1-15 Emanda, Christopher, Irene, Julia, and May Ana; and 1-16 WHEREAS, The family established a homestead on the 100 acres 1-17 of prime farmland purchased by Ellis Griffin, Sr., in 1896, and 1-18 over the course of the years, their property grew to encompass 300 1-19 acres; and 1-20 WHEREAS, The Griffins contributed to their community in many 1-21 ways, selling the crops they grew on their farm, establishing a 1-22 school to educate their children and other youth, and donating land 1-23 for the establishment of the Ella Austin Health Center, one of the 1-24 oldest clinics in East San Antonio; and 2-1 WHEREAS, The couple's son, the Reverend Christopher Griffin, 2-2 is the husband of columnist Henrietta Griffin, and for nearly 40 2-3 years, he enjoyed a rewarding career in civilian service with Kelly 2-4 Air Force Base; he received the Lord's call to enter the ministry 2-5 in 1968, and he organized Huntleigh Park Baptist Church before 2-6 accepting the pastorate at St. James Baptist Church, in which 2-7 capacity he has offered comfort and religious guidance to the 2-8 members of his congregation for 17 years; and 2-9 WHEREAS, Over the past century, members of this close-knit 2-10 family have continually served the people of San Antonio with pride 2-11 and dedication, and they are indeed deserving of special praise and 2-12 recognition at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-14 Legislature hereby honor the Griffin family for their exceptional 2-15 achievements and extend to them warmest best wishes for continued 2-16 success and happiness in all their future endeavors; and, be it 2-17 further 2-18 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-19 prepared for the Griffin family as an expression of high regard by 2-20 the Texas House of Representatives. McClendon _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 324 was adopted by the House on April 3, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House