By McClendon                                          H.R. No. 1266

         75R17103 SAJ-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, In 1996, members of  St. Stephen Baptist Church in

 1-2     San Antonio celebrated 50 years of faithful service to the

 1-3     spiritual  needs of their community, and this remarkable milestone

 1-4     is indeed worthy of praise and recognition; and        

 1-5           WHEREAS, With the vision and direction of the Reverends

 1-6     Belvin B. Stewart, J. Henry Hardeman, and W. D. Rector, the church

 1-7     was founded in 1946 by seven charter members, and its first

 1-8     permanent house of worship was built the following year; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, Inspired leadership and an active membership have

1-10     helped St. Stephen Baptist Church to flourish over time and since

1-11     its founding, the church has played a vital role in the San Antonio

1-12     community; and

1-13           WHEREAS, Under the guidance of the church's current pastor,

1-14     the Reverend Edward L. Hayes, members participate in numerous

1-15     community projects, including a food ministry, to the benefit of

1-16     families in need; in addition, the church has organized the L. C.

1-17     Griffin Choir, in tribute to a beloved late pastor who served from

1-18     1970 to 1989, and the choir's lovely songs of praise have helped to

1-19     make the days brighter for many people; and

1-20           WHEREAS, Throughout its proud history, St. Stephen Baptist

1-21     Church has provided outstanding spiritual leadership and moral

1-22     guidance to its congregation; the church stands today as a tribute

1-23     to the dedication and hard work of its members, past and present,

1-24     who have devoted their time, energy, and resources to ensure its

 2-1     continued existence as a house of God; now, therefore, be it

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

 2-3     Texas Legislature hereby honor St. Stephen Baptist Church on the

 2-4     occasion of its 50th anniversary and commend the Reverend Edward L.

 2-5     Hayes and his congregation for the many significant contributions

 2-6     they have made to the betterment of their community; and, be it

 2-7     further

 2-8           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

 2-9     prepared for St. Stephen Baptist Church as an expression of high

2-10     regard by the Texas House of Representatives.