R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The congregation of St. Paul African Methodist 1-2 Episcopal Church White Rock in Dallas is observing its Founders' 1-3 Day Celebration on May 6, 2001; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Organized in the early 1880s on the farm of Mack 1-5 Thomas, the church drew the interest of area citizens who initially 1-6 met for worship under a thatched roof arbor; Father Joshua served 1-7 as the congregation's first minister and advisor and he was 1-8 assisted by the church's inaugural board of trustees, including 1-9 Washington Daniels, Taylor Turner, William Moses Jackson, Mack 1-10 Clinton, and Mack Thomas; and 1-11 WHEREAS, In 1886, Mr. and Mrs. Daniels donated a half acre of 1-12 land for a church site and when that site became too small, the 1-13 couple donated a one and one-half acre tract of their farm to serve 1-14 as the new site; under the leadership of the Reverend Henderson, a 1-15 one-room church was erected and when the Reverend A. V. Brown came 1-16 to St. Paul's in 1918, he organized a choir, bought a piano, and 1-17 played a leading role in the organization of the missionary 1-18 society; and 1-19 WHEREAS, The church has been blessed with inspired leadership 1-20 through the years, and today the Reverend Derwin Harris shares his 1-21 wisdom and counsel with his faithful congregants; and 1-22 WHEREAS, For more than a century, St. Paul African Methodist 1-23 Episcopal Church White Rock has remained attuned to the changing 1-24 needs of the community it serves and it is a tribute to the 2-1 dedication and hard work of its members, past and present, who have 2-2 devoted their time, energy, and financial resources to ensure its 2-3 continued existence as a house of God; now, therefore, be it 2-4 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-5 Legislature hereby honor the Reverend Derwin Harris and the members 2-6 of St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church White Rock and 2-7 extend to them sincere best wishes for a meaningful and memorable 2-8 Founders' Day observance; and, be it further 2-9 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-10 prepared for the church as an expression of high regard by the 2-11 Texas House of Representatives. Giddings _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 871 was adopted by the House on April 25, 2001, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House