By Dutton                                              H.R. No. 535
         77R8139 MDM-D                           
                                 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
2-25           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-26     prepared for Dr. Freeman as an expression of highest regard by the
2-27     Texas House of Representatives.