1-1                                       1

 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 530

 1-3           WHEREAS, Dr. Clarence Booker Taliferro Smith, pastor

 1-4     emeritus of Golden Gate Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, has

 1-5     retired from his pastoral duties, and the Texas Senate takes

 1-6     pleasure in joining the congregation in paying tribute to this

 1-7     exemplary Christian minister; and

 1-8           WHEREAS, For the past 45 years, Dr. Smith has served as

 1-9     pastor of one of Dallas' most vibrant inner city churches and

1-10     has played a vital role in the African American community; his

1-11     leadership has brought together countless numbers of people

1-12     into the Christian fellowship; and

1-13           WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, Dr. Smith has been a

1-14     staunch supporter of education and has become well known on the

1-15     local, state, and national levels for his tireless work; and

1-16           WHEREAS, Recognized among fellow ministers and lay people

1-17     alike as one of the most inspiring present-day Baptist preachers,

1-18     Dr. Smith has filled the pulpit with his presence, his wisdom,

1-19     his wit, and his devotion to his faith; and

1-20           WHEREAS, His sermons have touched the lives of both young

1-21     and old who find comfort and hope in his message of God's love

1-22     for all; as pastor to his flock, Dr. Smith has counseled those

1-23     who came to him for guidance in their daily lives; and

 2-1           WHEREAS, The son of Andrew and Laura Smith, Dr. Smith

 2-2     was born in La Vernia, Texas, a small community south of

 2-3     San Antonio, where he attended elementary school; after moving

 2-4     to San Antonio during his high school days, he met his future

 2-5     bride, Rosie Lee Hartfield, and the couple married during

 2-6     World War II just before C. B. T. was shipped overseas; in 1946,

 2-7     he returned home and began to prepare for the ministry; and

 2-8           WHEREAS, Dr. Smith attended Saint Phillip's Junior College

 2-9     in San Antonio, Bishop College in Marshall, and Southwestern

2-10     Theological Seminary in Fort Worth; he preached his first sermon

2-11     on January 6, 1946, at New Light Baptist Church in San Antonio;

2-12     after serving churches in Saint Augustine, Marshall, Longview,

2-13     and Waxahachie, the young minister was called to Golden Gate

2-14     Baptist Church in 1952, where he became an exemplary role model

2-15     and devoted shepherd of his flock; Dr. and Mrs. Smith have worked

2-16     together to provide a caring ministry based on loving concern,

2-17     support, and encouragement; now, therefore, be it

2-18           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,

2-19     75th Legislature, hereby extend best wishes to

2-20     Clarence Booker Taliferro Smith for a most rewarding

2-21     retirement; and, be it further

2-22           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for

2-23     him as a token of the high regard of the Texas Senate.

2-24                                                                    West

2-25                                  ______________________________________

2-26                                          President of the Senate

 3-1                                       I hereby certify that the above

 3-2                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate

 3-3                                  on April 17, 1997.

 3-4                                  ______________________________________

 3-5                                          Secretary of the Senate

 3-6                                  ______________________________________

 3-7                                           Member, Texas Senate