R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor 1-2 Dr. Thomas F. Freeman for his 50 years of dedicated service to 1-3 Mt. Horem Baptist Church in Houston as its pastor; and 1-4 WHEREAS, An honors graduate of Virginia Union University, 1-5 where he earned a bachelor's degree, he also holds degrees from 1-6 Andover Newton Theological School and The Divinity School at the 1-7 University of Chicago, and he did further study at Harvard, Boston 1-8 University, and the University of Vienna; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Dr. Freeman began his career in the ministry at 1-10 Concord Baptist Church in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1940, and he 1-11 was later called to serve churches in Westerly, Rhode Island, 1-12 Chicago, and his hometown of Richmond, Virginia, before assuming 1-13 the pastorate of Mt. Horem Baptist Church in 1951; and 1-14 WHEREAS, In addition to his ministerial career, this 1-15 accomplished educator has shared his talents as a professor of 1-16 philosophy at Texas Southern University (TSU) since 1949, as a 1-17 professor of practical theology and English at Virginia Union 1-18 University, as a lecturer in the department of religion at Rice, 1-19 and an adjunct professor of speech for the Houston Community 1-20 College System; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Avidly sought as a keynote speaker for religious 1-22 programs, commencements, and a variety of business and civic 1-23 occasions, he is also a prolific author who wrote The Choice of the 1-24 Pew, coauthored From Separation to Special Destination, edited 2-1 "Barbara Jordan Gems," and has written numerous articles; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Dr. Freeman's leadership abilities have led to 2-3 service as a board member of the Association of Churches and as 2-4 national president of Alpha Kappa Mu National; among his 2-5 professional affiliations are membership in the National Baptist 2-6 Convention, the American Philosophical Association, and the 2-7 National Association for Innovation in Higher Education; and 2-8 WHEREAS, He has been accorded many honors, including listings 2-9 in Men of Achievement Throughout the World, Who's Who in Religion, 2-10 Who's Who Among Philosophers, and Notable Americans of the 2-11 Bicentennial Era; moreover, he was awarded a Doctor of Humane 2-12 Letters from Eastern Massachusetts University, received a TSU 2-13 Faculty Member International Recognition Award in 1992, and the 2-14 Houston Urban League Margaret Ross Barnett Leadership Award that 2-15 same year; and 2-16 WHEREAS, Dr. Thomas F. Freeman continually demonstrates a 2-17 deep commitment to bettering the lives of his fellowman, and it is 2-18 a pleasure to join in paying tribute to him at this time; now, 2-19 therefore, be it 2-20 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-21 Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. Thomas F. Freeman on the 2-22 occasion of his 50th pastoral anniversary at Mt. Horem Baptist 2-23 Church and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success 2-24 and happiness; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy 2-25 of this resolution be prepared for Dr. Freeman as an expression of 2-26 highest regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Dutton _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 535 was adopted by the House on March 22, 2001, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House