By Price                                               H.R. No. 651

         75R11898 SAJ-D                           

                                 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.