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