R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Reverend Earl J. Banning is retiring as pastor
 1-2     at Braeswood Assembly of God Church in Houston, and it is indeed a
 1-3     privilege to pay tribute to this distinguished clergyman for his
 1-4     myriad accomplishments and decades of inspirational leadership; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Born in Santa Monica, California, Pastor Banning
 1-6     moved to the Lone Star State as a child and was raised on a cattle
 1-7     ranch in South Texas; he graduated from high school in Cotulla,
 1-8     Texas, and served his country with distinction in the United States
 1-9     Army during the Korean War; and
1-10           WHEREAS, Reverend Banning attended Southwestern Assemblies of
1-11     God College, where he met and married Joyce Fisher, with whom he
1-12     has shared a loving union that has been blessed with three
1-13     children; in the ensuing years he went on to earn a bachelor's
1-14     degree and master teacher's certificate from Southern California
1-15     College and a master's degree from San Francisco State University;
1-16     and
1-17           WHEREAS, Pastor Banning has long been a leader in the field
1-18     of counseling psychology and pastoral ministry, and his
1-19     achievements include having been the founding director of youth
1-20     therapy and rehabilitation centers in San Francisco and San Mateo,
1-21     California; general presbyter for the Assemblies of God for more
1-22     than a decade, he has been a popular visiting lecturer on Christian
1-23     psychology and church growth in more than 25 countries and has ably
1-24     served over 27 Assemblies of God districts in church growth
 2-1     conferences; and
 2-2           WHEREAS, Since 1970, this esteemed gentleman has been the
 2-3     pastor at Braeswood Assembly of God Church, and during his 30 years
 2-4     of faithful guidance, the church has grown significantly, now
 2-5     serving as a spiritual home each Sunday to approximately 2,500
 2-6     worshipers representing 48 different nationalities; in his role as
 2-7     pastor, Reverend Banning has demonstrated dynamic leadership and a
 2-8     vibrant preaching style and has been a constant source of strength
 2-9     and inspiration to all the members of the church's devoted
2-10     congregation; and
2-11           WHEREAS, Throughout his impressive tenure with Braeswood
2-12     Assembly of God Church, Reverend Banning has touched the lives of
2-13     countless individuals, and it is most appropriate that he be
2-14     honored as he begins his well-deserved retirement; now, therefore,
2-15     be it
2-16           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-17     Legislature hereby commend the Reverend Earl J. Banning for his
2-18     many years of faithful service to Braeswood Assembly of God Church
2-19     and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued happiness; and,
2-20     be it further
2-21           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-22     prepared for Reverend Banning as an expression of high regard by
2-23     the Texas House of Representatives.
                                                                      Elkins
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 145 was adopted by the House on April
         5, 2001, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House