1-1                         SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1065
       1-2           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes great pride
       1-3     in recognizing the Mar Thoma Church, which will have its 17th
       1-4     Family Conference on July 1, 1999, in Houston; and
       1-5           WHEREAS, The Diocesan Bishop, the Right Reverend Doctor
       1-6     Zacharias Mar Theophilus of India, along with about 2,000 people,
       1-7     are expected at this national gathering of Christians from
       1-8     South India; the celebration is expected to last three days; and
       1-9           WHEREAS, The Right Reverend Doctor Geevarghese Mar Theodosius,
      1-10     Doctor Joan Chunkapara and the Reverend Doctor Cleophus J. LaRue, Jr.,
      1-11     will be speaking at the ceremony; and
      1-12           WHEREAS, Honored guests at the ceremony will be the
      1-13     Consul General of India, the Indian Ambassador to the United States,
      1-14     Mayor Lee P. Brown, and numerous elected officials from other areas;
      1-15     and
      1-16           WHEREAS, The Mar Thoma Church is in communion with the
      1-17     worldwide Anglican Communion, the Episcopal Church, and it has
      1-18     informal ties with all churches having historic episcopacy; and
      1-19           WHEREAS, Bishops from these churches and other Bishops from
      1-20     India are expected to attend the conference; and
      1-21           WHEREAS, Christianity was established in India in 52 A.D.
      1-22     and prospered in the Kerala coast area; these Christians are
      1-23     believed to be direct descendants of the Saint Thomas Church
       2-1     founded by the Apostle himself; and
       2-2           WHEREAS, Today, there are over 5,000 Christian families from
       2-3     the state of Kerala, India, who have chosen to make Houston their
       2-4     home; most of these are professional people working as doctors,
       2-5     nurses, engineers, and in other fields; now, therefore, be it
       2-6           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
       2-7     76th Legislature, hereby recognize July 1, 1999, as Mar Thoma
       2-8     Family Day in Houston and extend best wishes for a very enjoyable
       2-9     17th Family Conference; and, be it further
      2-10           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as an
      2-11     expression of the highest esteem and regard of the Texas Senate.
      2-12                                                                   Ellis
      2-13                                  ______________________________________
      2-14                                          President of the Senate
      2-15                                       I hereby certify that the above
      2-16                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
      2-17                                  on May 21, 1999.
      2-18                                  ______________________________________
      2-19                                          Secretary of the Senate
      2-20                                  ______________________________________
      2-21                                           Member, Texas Senate