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