By Thompson                                             H.R. No. 57
         Line and page numbers may not match official copy.
         Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E.
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The passing of Dr. John H. Osteen, the pastor of
 1-2     Lakewood Church, at the age of 77, has brought a great loss to the
 1-3     family, many friends and congregation of this esteemed minister and
 1-4     humanitarian; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, He is a native of Texas, having been born in Paris,
 1-6     Texas; and
 1-7           WHEREAS, Dr. Osteen holds a bachelor's degree from John Brown
 1-8     University, a master's degree from Northern Baptist Seminary, a
 1-9     doctorate of letters from Indiana Christian University, and a
1-10     doctorate of divinity from Oral Roberts University; and
1-11           WHEREAS, After he was ordained as a Baptist minister, he
1-12     served as the minister of churches in San Diego, California, and in
1-13     Texas; and
1-14           WHEREAS, He was a pastor of Central Baptist Church in
1-15     Baytown, Texas; and
1-16           WHEREAS, While the minister of Central Baptist Church, he
1-17     served as a member of the Southern Baptist Executive Board; and
1-18           WHEREAS, After leaving Baytown, he served as a "supply
1-19     pastor" to Baptist churches without ministers; and
1-20           WHEREAS, He became the pastor of Hibbard Baptist Church in
1-21     Houston in 1958; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, He founded Lakewood Church-The Oasis of Love in
 2-2     1959; and it became the largest nondenominational church in Houston
 2-3     and has the largest sanctuary in Texas with a multi-ethnic rainbow
 2-4     of worshipers; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, From 1961 to 1969 he served as an
 2-6     interdenominational missionary in the Phillippines, India, Mexico,
 2-7     and several other countries; and
 2-8           WHEREAS, He returned to Lakewood Church in 1969 and remained
 2-9     as pastor since, still spending several weeks a year doing
2-10     missionary work; and
2-11           WHEREAS, He married Dodie Osteen, who was his devoted partner
2-12     in his many works; and
2-13           WHEREAS, He and his wife have six wonderful children Justin
2-14     H. Osteen, Lisa Osteen, Tamara Graff, April Osteen, Paul Osteen,
2-15     and Joel Osteen and his ten beautiful grandchildren; and
2-16           WHEREAS, During his many years in the ministry, Dr. Osteen's
2-17     work has touched the lives of people around the world; and
2-18           WHEREAS, Dr. John Osteen was a great man of faith and
2-19     compassion, and his strength of character enabled him to grow
2-20     profoundly in his life and to improve the lives of others; although
2-21     his presence is sorely missed, his unique spirit surely lives on in
2-22     the hearts of those who loved him; now, therefore, be it
2-23           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th
2-24     Legislature of the State of Texas hereby honor the memory of
2-25     Dr. John Osteen and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his
 3-1     family: to his wife Dodie Osteen; his children, Justin Osteen, Lisa
 3-2     Osteen, Tamara Graff, April Osteen, Paul Osteen, and Joel Osteen;
 3-3     and his ten grandchildren; and to the many others relatives and
 3-4     friends of this admirable gentleman; and, be it further
 3-5           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
 3-6     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
 3-7     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
 3-8     Dr. John Osteen.