R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, On February 28, 1999, Dr. Richard Waters of the 1-2 First Baptist Church of Palestine steps down from his position as 1-3 pastor to pursue new ministries, and his many years of service and 1-4 dedication to the faithful of Texas are indeed worthy of special 1-5 legislative recognition; and 1-6 WHEREAS, From the age of 19, Dr. Waters has committed himself 1-7 to his faith, initially working with revivals and church youth 1-8 groups; in 1959 he became a minister, serving congregations around 1-9 Texas and Oklahoma before settling in Palestine; and 1-10 WHEREAS, His six-and-a-half-year tenure with the Palestine 1-11 church has been a blessed and fruitful one, replete with a 1-12 remarkable record of good works and accomplishments; in addition to 1-13 ministering to the rapidly growing membership of the church, Dr. 1-14 Waters has overseen tremendous and rewarding advancements in the 1-15 community ministry through work with the area's poor and needy; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Under his able guidance, the church has sent mission 1-17 teams to Mexico, Honduras, the Ukraine, Romania, Nigeria, and the 1-18 Holy Land and has undertaken important ecumenical work with other 1-19 Texas churches, particularly through the Greater Palestine 1-20 Ministerial Alliance; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Upon retirement from his current position, Dr. 1-22 Waters will begin Life Changing Ministries International; his aim 1-23 is a broader emphasis on missionary work that will excite and 1-24 change lives around the world; and 2-1 WHEREAS, His warmth, counsel, and sincerity of faith have 2-2 made Dr. Waters a valuable contributor to the Palestine community 2-3 and many groups have benefited from his presence, including the 2-4 Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Throughout his many decades of willing service, Dr. 2-6 Waters has been ably supported by his beloved wife, Letty; as they 2-7 embark together on a new life with new purposes, it is indeed 2-8 appropriate to recognize the commendable work and singular 2-9 dedication of this esteemed gentleman; now, therefore, be it 2-10 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-11 Legislature hereby honor Dr. Richard Waters for more than four 2-12 decades of service to the faithful of Texas, including his tenure 2-13 as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Palestine, and extend to 2-14 him and his family warm best wishes for continued success and 2-15 happiness; and, be it further 2-16 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-17 prepared for Dr. Waters as an expression of high regard by the 2-18 Texas House of Representatives. Staples _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 253 was adopted by the House on February 23, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House