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