1-1                                     1
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 592
 1-3           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to
 1-4     recognize John Scott Gray, Sr., on the momentous occasion of
 1-5     his 90th birthday on April 25, 1999; and
 1-6           WHEREAS, Born on April 25, 1909, John Scott is the son of
 1-7     the late Lawyer and Isabella Armstrong Gray of Wharton County;
 1-8     baptized as a baby at Saint James A.M.E. Church, he was Steward
 1-9     Superintendent of the Sunday School while still a teenager; and
1-10           WHEREAS, A 1930 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School
1-11     in Houston, he attended college, but had to quit due to financial
1-12     reasons; and
1-13           WHEREAS, In his early 20s he married Esther Mae Washington,
1-14     and to this marriage were born three children:  one son,
1-15     John Scott Gray, Jr., and two daughters, Billie Rose and Wynona Mae;
1-16     the loving couple made a warm and nurturing home for their three
1-17     children; Esther Mae predeceased him; and
1-18           WHEREAS, Mr. Gray was guided to move to Houston, Texas, where
1-19     he was led to join Green Chapel A.M.E. Church in 1937; and
1-20           WHEREAS, John Scott Gray has served his church as a Steward,
1-21     Trustee, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent,
1-22     District Superintendent, custodian, yard man, and in other ways
1-23     in which he was needed; and
1-24           WHEREAS, Hardworking and dedicated, Mr. Gray was employed by
 2-1     Hugh Tool Company for more than 30 years; and
 2-2           WHEREAS, Marrying Johnnie Freeman in 1961, he was quite happy
 2-3     and they were both notably active in the church and the community;
 2-4     while attending a General Conference in Fort Worth in 1987,
 2-5     Johnnie Gray had a stroke; both partners refused to let this be a
 2-6     setback and continued to live their lives as normally as possible;
 2-7     Mrs. Gray passed away in 1995; and
 2-8           WHEREAS, Vitally interested in civic matters, Mr. Gray has
 2-9     voted in every election since he was eligible and was named
2-10     precinct chairman; he has held this distinguished position for
2-11     more than 50 years; and
2-12           WHEREAS, Considered the oldest precinct judge in Harris County
2-13     in terms of service, he attended most of the county and state
2-14     conventions and was elected a delegate to the Democratic National
2-15     Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1988; and
2-16           WHEREAS, During the last election in 1998, he became ill
2-17     while he was working; however, his faith in God allows him the
2-18     determination to continue the work he has begun; with a strong
2-19     will and mind, he will celebrate his 90th birthday on
2-20     April 25, 1999, and the Texas Senate is proud to congratulate
2-21     him; now, therefore, be it
2-22           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-23     76th Legislature, hereby extend best wishes to John Scott Gray, Sr.,
2-24     on his 90th birthday; and, be it further
2-25           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
2-26     him as an expression of the highest regard and esteem of
 3-1     the Texas Senate.
 3-2                                                                Whitmire
 3-3                                  ______________________________________
 3-4                                          President of the Senate
 3-5                                       I hereby certify that the above
 3-6                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
 3-7                                  on April 9, 1999.
 3-8                                  ______________________________________
 3-9                                          Secretary of the Senate
3-10                                  ______________________________________
3-11                                           Member, Texas Senate