1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 623 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride in 1-4 recognizing Dr. Willie Eugene Harris, Sr., an outstanding citizen 1-5 of our state, on his many contributions to the Dallas community; 1-6 and 1-7 WHEREAS, A minister, author, artist, and musician, 1-8 Dr. Willie Harris holds degrees from Washington University, Western 1-9 Baptist Seminary, Hampton University, and Florissant Valley College; 1-10 he serves as an associate minister at Mount Sinai Baptist Church in 1-11 Dallas; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Dr. Harris has pastored for 26 years in Missouri, 1-13 California, and Texas; he also pastored in Germany; for the last 14 1-14 years, he has given generously of his time and energy to improving 1-15 the quality of life for African-Americans in the City of Dallas; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Dr. Harris was actively involved with the Civil 1-17 Rights Movement during the time of its leadership under 1-18 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; he has continued to work untiringly on 1-19 behalf of African-Americans through his membership in the National 1-20 Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Black Chamber 1-21 of Commerce, and the Black State Employees Association of Texas; and 1-22 WHEREAS, A man of many talents and interests, Dr. Harris 1-23 received a Gold Record Award for the song he wrote in 1968, "I 2-1 Have A Dream," which is featured in the PBS documentary film, "In 2-2 Remembrance of Martin"; he also wrote the music for the song, 2-3 "Congratulations America"; and 2-4 WHEREAS, He is the president of Celebrity Art Productions 2-5 and is the author of Five Steps to A Successful Marriage and the 2-6 upcoming book, The Plantation Mentality; and 2-7 WHEREAS, Accolades for Dr. Harris' dedication and hard work 2-8 include the Sigma Gamma Rho Award, the Dallas Post Tribune Citizen 2-9 of the Year Award, and the Saint Louis Argus Newspaper Award; and 2-10 WHEREAS, An exemplary and distinguished gentleman, 2-11 Dr. Willie Harris deserves recognition for his many accomplishments 2-12 and his exceptional work on behalf of African-Americans and the 2-13 field of civil rights; now, therefore, be it 2-14 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-15 75th Legislature, hereby commend Dr. Willie Harris on his 2-16 outstanding leadership, talent, and hard work and on his many 2-17 contributions to the City of Dallas and to the African-American 2-18 communities of this country; and, be it further 2-19 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 2-20 Dr. Harris as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. 2-21 West 2-22 ______________________________________ 2-23 President of the Senate 2-24 I hereby certify that the above 2-25 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-26 on May 1, 1997. 2-27 ______________________________________ 2-28 Secretary of the Senate 2-29 ______________________________________ 3-1 Member, Texas Senate