By Dukes                                              H.R. No. 1295

         75R16910 BNL-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is pleased to

 1-2     honor the participants in the fifth annual Women in Ministry

 1-3     Conference, which will take place in Austin June 19-21, 1997; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, Under the leadership of noted Pastor Rebecca

 1-5     Washington Berry, the conference will provide a forum for

 1-6     discussion, reflection, and spiritual growth for women who have

 1-7     committed their lives to the ministry; and

 1-8           WHEREAS, Pastor Chanta Nealous and evangelists Jeannine Lee,

 1-9     Helen Hood, and Yolonda Gamble will join guest speakers from

1-10     throughout Texas, as well as Oklahoma and California, to offer

1-11     their insights into the rewards and challenges of a life of

1-12     religious service, and conference attendees will undoubtedly depart

1-13     with a renewed sense of energy and purpose; and

1-14           WHEREAS, Known for her dynamic teaching style, Pastor Berry

1-15     brings to her ministry a background in social services

1-16     administration, and her experience in that field has enabled her to

1-17     become an effective leader and counselor as well as a preacher; in

1-18     addition, she has evangelized throughout the country and has given

1-19     motivational speeches to a wide variety of groups and

1-20     organizations; and

1-21           WHEREAS, It is indeed a noble calling to dedicate oneself to

1-22     the work of the Lord and to minister to the spiritual needs of

1-23     others, for those courageous individuals who answer this call

1-24     provide a moral compass for our society; the many fine ministers

 2-1     participating in the Women in Ministry Conference exemplify the

 2-2     highest standards of this vocation, and they are indeed deserving

 2-3     of our highest praise and recognition; now, therefore, be it

 2-4           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

 2-5     Legislature hereby honor the participants in the Women in Ministry

 2-6     Conference and extend to them warmest best wishes for a meaningful

 2-7     and successful event; and, be it further

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

 2-9     prepared for them as an expression of high regard by the Texas

2-10     House of Representatives.