By: Moncrief S.R. No. 76 1-1 By: Moncrief S.R. No. 76 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to send 1-4 greetings to Dr. Raymond W. Barber, pastor of Worth Baptist Church, 1-5 who is retiring on April 6, 1997, after 35 years of outstanding 1-6 service to his congregation; and 1-7 WHEREAS, The Worth Baptist Church has benefitted greatly from 1-8 the inspired leadership of Dr. Barber; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Raymond W. Barber was the seventh child born to 1-10 Robert Jones Barber and Maggie Stone Barber; Dr. Barber's father 1-11 founded and pastored the Baptist Tabernacle in Danville, Virginia, 1-12 until he died in November, 1961; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Heeding the call of the Lord, Raymond preached his 1-14 first sermon at the age of 12; at 18, he left home to attend the 1-15 Bible Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas; and 1-16 WHEREAS, To prepare for the pastorate, Raymond worked as an 1-17 associate pastor with his father at the Baptist Tabernacle for 1-18 four years, for two years as an associate pastor at Berea Baptist 1-19 Church in Jacksonville, Florida, and in 1962, Worth Baptist Church 1-20 called him to be its pastor; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Since he began as pastor at Worth Baptist Church, 1-22 Dr. Barber has guided the congregation through three successful 1-23 building programs; the current estimated worth of the land and 2-1 buildings of the church is over $3 million, and the membership 2-2 of Worth Baptist Church has grown to 2,000; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Inspirational and caring, this pastor has 2-4 unselfishly dedicated his time and energy to the members of his 2-5 church and his community; and 2-6 WHEREAS, It is indeed appropriate that the Texas Senate 2-7 recognize this outstanding pastor on the auspicious occasion of 2-8 his retirement in April, 1997; now, therefore, be it 2-9 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-10 75th Legislature, hereby congratulate Dr. Raymond W. Barber on 2-11 his successful career and his retirement and extend best wishes 2-12 for many happy retirement years to come; and, be it 2-13 further 2-14 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 2-15 Dr. Barber as an expression of the high regard and esteem of 2-16 the Texas Senate. 2-17 ______________________________________ 2-18 President of the Senate 2-19 I hereby certify that the above 2-20 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-21 on January 28, 1997. 2-22 ______________________________________ 2-23 Secretary of the Senate 2-24 ______________________________________ 2-25 Member, Texas Senate