By Crabb                                              H.R. No. 1017

         75R15893 SAJ-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, In May 1997, the Reverend John E. Birkelbach is

 1-2     retiring as senior pastor of The First United Methodist Church in

 1-3     Humble after 32 years of faithful service to the spiritual needs of

 1-4     others; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, A native Texan, Reverend Birkelbach is the son of

 1-6     the Reverend Elwood Birkelbach and Juanita Birkelbach, and he has

 1-7     followed in his father's footsteps in choosing a career in ministry

 1-8     with the church; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, Reverend Birkelbach was graduated from Perkins

1-10     School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in 1965 and has

1-11     pastored several churches, including congregations in Texarkana,

1-12     Bellville, Jasper, and Kilgore, before he was appointed pastor of

1-13     Humble's First United Methodist Church in 1992; and

1-14           WHEREAS, This esteemed clergyman has also held leadership

1-15     positions with the Texas Annual Conference and McMahon's Chapel and

1-16     is currently a  member of the board at Lakeview Conference Center;

1-17     and

1-18           WHEREAS, His outstanding achievements have earned him

1-19     well-deserved acclaim; during his tenure with Hardy Memorial Church

1-20     in Texarkana, both he and the church were feted with the Copeland

1-21     Evangelism Award; and

1-22           WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, he has been aided by the love

1-23     and support of his wife, Pauline; the couple look forward to an

1-24     active retirement, entertaining their many friends and pursuing

 2-1     their favorite pastimes, which for Reverend Birkelbach include

 2-2     woodcarving, playing a variety of sports, and studying biblical

 2-3     archaeology and Texas history; and

 2-4           WHEREAS, For more than three decades, Reverend Birkelbach's

 2-5     outstanding spiritual leadership, understanding guidance, and

 2-6     strong faith have been a tremendous source of inspiration to many

 2-7     people, and he is most worthy of special recognition on the

 2-8     occasion of his retirement from the active ministry; now,

 2-9     therefore, be it

2-10           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-11     Legislature hereby commend the Reverend John E. Birkelbach on his

2-12     exemplary service as a minister and extend to him warmest best

2-13     wishes for a happy and fulfilling retirement; and, be it further

2-14           RESOLVED,   That an official copy of this resolution be

2-15     prepared for Reverend Birkelbach as an expression of high regard by

2-16     the Texas House of Representatives.