By: Ellis S.R. No. 230
1-1 1
1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-3 In Memory
1-4 of
1-5 Ernest Thomas Dixon, Jr.
1-6 WHEREAS, The Texas Senate wishes to honor the life of service
1-7 of Ernest Thomas Dixon, Jr., who died on June 29, 1996; and
1-8 WHEREAS, A native Texan, he was born in San Antonio to
1-9 Ethel Louise Reese Dixon and Ernest Thomas Dixon, Sr.; he grew up
1-10 on the east side of San Antonio; and
1-11 WHEREAS, Known to his friends as Billy, he graduated from
1-12 Phyllis Wheatley High School in 1939; while he was in high school,
1-13 he served as student principal, was elected president of the senior
1-14 class, lettered in football, and graduated with highest honors; and
1-15 WHEREAS, Quite active in his neighborhood, this promising
1-16 young man was befriended and guided by clergy and lay persons who
1-17 belonged to Jacob's Chapel United Methodist Church; his decision
1-18 to enter the Christian ministry was greatly influenced by these
1-19 helpful people; and
1-20 WHEREAS, In September, 1939, Mr. Dixon entered Samuel Huston
1-21 College in Austin, now known as Huston-Tillotson College; he worked
1-22 several different jobs to pay his way through college, graduating
1-23 magna cum laude in May, 1943; and
2-1 WHEREAS, In July, 1943, he married Lois Dixon, and the devoted
2-2 couple had four children, Freddie Brown, Ernest Reese, Muriel Jean,
2-3 and Leona Louise; and
2-4 WHEREAS, Ernest attended Drew Theological Seminary, and he
2-5 assisted churches in Harlem and in Summit, New Jersey; he earned
2-6 his bachelor of divinity degree in 1945; and
2-7 WHEREAS, Ordained deacon by Bishop Robert N. Brooks,
2-8 Ernest Dixon began work as Director of Religious Extension Service
2-9 at Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University, in Alabama; during
2-10 his six-year tenure, he coordinated a low-cash-cost housing program,
2-11 resulting in the building of two AME Zion churches and several
2-12 demonstration family homes; and
2-13 WHEREAS, Ordained elder by Bishop Brooks in 1946, Ernest
2-14 served as Executive Secretary of the Conference Board of Education
2-15 for two years; in 1952, he moved his family to Nashville when he
2-16 joined the staff of the Division of the Local Church, General Board
2-17 of Education; and
2-18 WHEREAS, This outstanding man of God became President of
2-19 Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1965; in
2-20 1972, he was elected to the episcopacy, and in 1980 he was
2-21 assigned to the San Antonio area, where he served for 12 years;
2-22 he retired in August, 1992; and
2-23 WHEREAS, Bishop Dixon served as President of the Council of
2-24 Bishops for the 1988-1989 term; he donated his time and talents to
2-25 many religious, civic, and philanthropic organizations, including:
3-1 Planned Parenthood, Health Care Ministries United Methodist Church,
3-2 United Negro College Fund, Huston-Tillotson College, and Santa Rosa
3-3 Hospital Foundation; and
3-4 WHEREAS, Bishop Dixon possessed many of the qualities that
3-5 make an excellent pastor; he had a quick wit, a commanding eloquence,
3-6 and a thoroughly persuasive manner; he unselfishly dedicated his
3-7 life to the members of his churches as well as countless other
3-8 souls; this revered theologian died on June 29, 1996, and he will be
3-9 greatly missed; now, therefore, be it
3-10 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
3-11 75th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the members
3-12 of his family: his children, Freddie Brown, Muriel Jean, and
3-13 Leona Louise; and, be it further
3-14 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his
3-15 family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate,
3-16 and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-17 Ernest Thomas Dixon, Jr.
3-18 ______________________________________
3-19 President of the Senate
3-20 I hereby certify that the above
3-21 Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-22 on February 24, 1997, by a rising vote.
3-23 ______________________________________
3-24 Secretary of the Senate
3-25 ______________________________________
3-26 Member, Texas Senate