R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor 1-2 Father Sinclair Oubre for his long-standing service to the church 1-3 and to the Port Arthur community; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A native of Port Arthur, he was graduated from the 1-5 Catholic University of America with a bachelor's degree in 1-6 philosophy before furthering his education with an additional 1-7 bachelor's degree and a master's degree from the Catholic 1-8 University of Leuven, Belgium, and he was ordained into the 1-9 priesthood in 1986; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Father Oubre first became involved in the maritime 1-11 industry nearly 20 years ago as a seaman for Tidewater Marine in 1-12 Louisiana; today his involvement continues, as he is currently a 1-13 chaplain for the Port of Beaumont and has held leadership posts in 1-14 the past with the National Catholic Conference for Seafarers, the 1-15 North American Maritime Ministry Association, the Port Arthur 1-16 International Seamen's Center, and the International Christian 1-17 Maritime Ministry Association; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Deeply committed to labor issues as well, he also 1-19 serves as chaplain of the Sabine Area Central Labor Council and has 1-20 worked to establish the Catholic-labor web page on the Internet for 1-21 the benefit of individuals in the labor and religious communities; 1-22 and 1-23 WHEREAS, For the past six years, Father Oubre has offered 1-24 special comfort and religious guidance to many in the Port Arthur 2-1 community as a pastor; he led the congregation at St. Mary Catholic 2-2 Church from 1991 until beginning his ministry at St. James Catholic 2-3 Church last year; and 2-4 WHEREAS, During his years in the ministry, he has helped to 2-5 establish the Savannah Housing Corporation to provide quality 2-6 affordable housing for elderly individuals, and with the 2-7 development of the Savannah House, half of the 20 apartments being 2-8 remodeled will be reserved for low-income, retired seafarers; and 2-9 WHEREAS, A man of great vision and compassion, Father Oubre 2-10 has enhanced the quality of life in the Port Arthur community in 2-11 countless ways, and he is indeed worthy 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 Father Sinclair Oubre for his many 2-15 contributions to the Christian ministry and the Port Arthur 2-16 community and extend to him warmest best wishes for continued 2-17 success with all his future endeavors; and, be it further 2-18 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-19 prepared for Father Oubre as an expression of high regard by the 2-20 Texas House of Representatives. Price _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 651 was adopted by the House on May 2, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House