R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, During his 46 years in the Christian ministry, the 1-2 Reverend Ruben Louis Archield, Sr., of San Antonio 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 Jeanerette, Louisiana, he earned a 1-7 bachelor's degree from Texas Southern University and a master's 1-8 degree from The University of Texas at San Antonio, and he has 1-9 received honorary doctorates from Guadalupe College Theological 1-10 Seminary as well; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Reverend Archield received his calling in 1948 and 1-12 was ordained two years later at Houston's Jordan Grove Baptist 1-13 Church; he went on to lead the congregations of Jerusalem Baptist 1-14 Church and Hill Zion Church before accepting the pastorate at 1-15 Friendship Baptist Church in 1963, where he continues to serve 1-16 today; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Under Reverend Archield's guidance, the church has 1-18 experienced an exceptionally vibrant and rewarding period of 1-19 growth, building its new edifice and establishing several 1-20 innovative programs targeted to the needs of its community, 1-21 including Junior and Senior Courtesy Committees, the Evangelism 1-22 Soul Winner's Action Team, a Youth Department, and a Youth Bible 1-23 Study program; and 1-24 WHEREAS, This esteemed clergyman has also served the Lord 2-1 through his involvement with the Baptist Ministers' Union and the 2-2 City Wide Brotherhood of San Antonio; in addition, this eminent 2-3 theologian has shared his abundant knowledge with others as an 2-4 instructor for the City Wide Institute and the National Baptist 2-5 Convention of America; and 2-6 WHEREAS, Throughout his years in the ministry, Reverend 2-7 Archield has remained committed to his community and has further 2-8 worked for the betterment of his fellow San Antonians through his 2-9 leadership in several civic organizations, including the Board of 2-10 Family Services, the San Antonio Development Agency, the Project 2-11 Able Drug Abuse Center, and San Antonio Initiatives; and 2-12 WHEREAS, His exceptional contributions have earned him 2-13 well-deserved recognition, for he was honored with the San Antonio 2-14 Register's Pulpit Heritage Award in 1992 and he recently received 2-15 the Patriarch Award from Greater Love Baptist Church; and 2-16 WHEREAS, A devoted family man, Reverend Archield is the 2-17 husband of Ruby Archield and the proud father of three sons, the 2-18 Reverend Ruben L. Archield, Jr., the Reverend Paul Joseph Archield, 2-19 and Major John Milton Archield; and 2-20 WHEREAS, In Reverend Archield, the church has found a 2-21 teacher, a counselor, and a stalwart friend for the work of the 2-22 ministry; his guidance has provided comfort and spiritual support 2-23 to countless individuals, and he is indeed worthy of our highest 2-24 praise and recognition at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-25 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-26 Legislature hereby commend the Reverend Ruben Louis Archield, Sr., 2-27 for his outstanding service to the church and to the members of his 3-1 community and extend to him warmest best wishes for continued 3-2 success and fellowship; and, be it further 3-3 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-4 prepared for Reverend Archield as an expression of high regard by 3-5 the Texas House of Representatives. McClendon _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 515 was adopted by the House on April 18, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House