By McClendon                                           H.R. No. 515

         75R9926 SAJ-F                           

                                 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.