R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Pearl Lee Walker McNeil of Dallas has throughout her 1-2 life exemplified the qualities of faith, generosity, and 1-3 determination, and it is most appropriate that she be honored for 1-4 her many contributions to her fellow citizens; and 1-5 WHEREAS, She was born on December 8, 1915, in Damascus, 1-6 Arkansas; a graduate of Jackson High School in Jackson, Michigan, 1-7 Pearl Walker pursued her higher education at Jackson Junior College 1-8 and Howard University, where she attained a degree in sociology; 1-9 she continued her quest for academic excellence at Fisk University, 1-10 earning her master's degree in sociology from that institution and 1-11 also attended Duke University, Columbia University, Southern 1-12 Methodist University, and American University; and 1-13 WHEREAS, A devout Christian, she took as her husband Dr. 1-14 Jesse Jai McNeil, a highly respected preacher and educator, and 1-15 shared her boundless faith and devotion with him until his passing 1-16 in 1965; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Truly the embodiment of the spirit of volunteerism, 1-18 she began volunteering even while her children were young, 1-19 dedicating her time and talents to the YWCA, Cub Scouts, Detroit 1-20 Council of Church Women, PTA, the United Church Women of Michigan, 1-21 the League of Women Voters, and Planned Parenthood; and 1-22 WHEREAS, After the loss of her husband, she relocated to 1-23 Dallas in 1965 and accepted full-time employment as director of 1-24 student personnel services and as an assistant professor at Bishop 2-1 College; becoming active in Mt. Tabor Baptist Church as well, she 2-2 continued her ecumenical involvement through the National Council 2-3 of Churches, serving as its national vice president from 1966 to 2-4 1969; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Chairing World Day of Prayer observances for Church 2-6 Women United, Mrs. McNeil was accorded a singular honor when she 2-7 became the first African American to write the service for that 2-8 event, which reached millions of worshipers in more than 150 2-9 countries; and 2-10 WHEREAS, She was selected as Ecumenical Officer for American 2-11 Baptist Churches in the USA, the first woman and African American 2-12 to hold the post, and while representing this multiracial 2-13 denomination of more than one million members, earned the respect 2-14 and admiration of all who knew her; and 2-15 WHEREAS, In 1981 Mrs. McNeil became the first professor of 2-16 foreign missions and global Christianity at Virginia Union's School 2-17 of Theology, where she taught full-time until 1986, and continued 2-18 her association as an adjunct professor until 1990; and 2-19 WHEREAS, She has also demonstrated exceptional leadership and 2-20 commitment through her service on boards or committees for such 2-21 respected organizations as the American Bible Society, Baptist 2-22 Joint Committee on Public Affairs, the Baptist World Alliance, the 2-23 National Council of the Churches of Christ, and others too numerous 2-24 to mention; and 2-25 WHEREAS, The recipient of many well-deserved awards and 2-26 accolades, she was named a "Living Legend" by the Dallas Black 2-27 Academy of Arts and Letters; and 3-1 WHEREAS, Mrs. McNeil's remarkable legacy of achievement has 3-2 established standards to which all people of faith can aspire and 3-3 it is truly appropriate that she be honored at this time; now, 3-4 therefore, be it 3-5 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 3-6 Legislature hereby recognize Pearl Lee Walker McNeil for her 3-7 significant contributions to her fellowman and extend to her 3-8 sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it 3-9 further 3-10 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-11 prepared for Mrs. McNeil as an expression of high regard by the 3-12 Texas House of Representatives. Jones of Dallas _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 350 was adopted by the House on March 4, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House