1-1                                       1

 1-2                         SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1012

 1-3           WHEREAS, The year 1997 marks an important milestone for the

 1-4     Christian community of Saint Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in

 1-5     Laredo, Texas, as it marks the parish's 100th year of existence; and

 1-6           WHEREAS, In March, 1897, several members of the Catholic

 1-7     community approached Bishop Peter M. Verdaguer, Vicar Apostolic of

 1-8     the Brownsville Vicariate, requesting that a second Catholic Church

 1-9     be constructed to care for the needs of the English-speaking people

1-10     of Laredo; and

1-11           WHEREAS, After receiving approval from Bishop Verdaguer,

1-12     construction was begun under the direction of Father Beautgen and

1-13     on October 7, 1897, Bishop Verdaguer blessed the building's

1-14     cornerstone; and

1-15           WHEREAS, Because of ill health, Father Beautgen was unable

1-16     to serve as pastor, and the project was turned over to

1-17     Father Edward Russell Chase, who saw the construction to its

1-18     completion and became the parish's first pastor; and

1-19           WHEREAS, On January 9, 1898, Saint Peter the Apostle Catholic

1-20     Church officially opened and was dedicated on January 13; and

1-21           WHEREAS, In 1994, through the efforts of its pastor,

1-22     Father Donald Critchlow, the Texas Historical Commission recognized

1-23     the historical contributions made by the parish by awarding the

 2-1     church a historical marker designating Saint Peter the Apostle

 2-2     Catholic Church an official state historical site; and

 2-3           WHEREAS, Throughout the church's 100 years of existence, in

 2-4     the midst of its joys and tribulations, disappointments and

 2-5     triumphs, the force behind its survival has been the courage of its

 2-6     parishioners, who with love and devotion have dedicated themselves

 2-7     to the preservation of one of Laredo's most important religious and

 2-8     historical treasures; and

 2-9           WHEREAS, Saint Peter the Apostle Catholic Church stands today

2-10     as a stirring testament to the many hands and hearts that have

2-11     endeavored to keep it strong through the past century, and it is

2-12     truly deserving of praise and recognition; now, therefore, be it

2-13           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,

2-14     75th Legislature, hereby honor Saint Peter the Apostle Catholic

2-15     Church in Laredo, Texas, on the occasion of its 100th anniversary

2-16     and extend to its pastor, Father Donald Critchlow, and its

2-17     parishioners sincere best wishes for continued success, blessings,

2-18     and happiness in the years to come; and, be it further

2-19           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared

2-20     for Saint Peter the Apostle Catholic Church as an expression of the

2-21     highest regard of the Texas Senate.

2-22                                                               Zaffirini

2-23                                  ______________________________________

2-24                                          President of the Senate

2-25                                       I hereby certify that the above

2-26                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate

2-27                                  on June 2, 1997.

2-28                                  ______________________________________

 3-1                                          Secretary of the Senate

 3-2                                  ______________________________________

 3-3                                           Member, Texas Senate