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