R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to 1-2 welcome Bishop Ernestine C. Reems to the Lone Star State May 30 to 1-3 June 2, 2001, for the 12th annual national conference of the E. C. 1-4 Reems Women's International Ministries; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Founded by Bishop Reems in 1989, the organization is 1-6 committed to the empowerment of all women as they aspire to meet 1-7 the myriad challenges in their lives; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Since childhood, Bishop Reems's unwavering faith has 1-9 been nurtured by her close-knit family, which includes two 1-10 ministers, her father, Bishop E. E. Cleveland, and her brother, the 1-11 Reverend Elmer Cleveland, and by the singular experience of 1-12 overcoming tuberculosis, which she contracted at the age of 13; and 1-13 WHEREAS, In 1968, with four charter members and boundless 1-14 determination, this remarkable pastor founded the Center of Hope 1-15 Community Church in Oakland, California; today 1,500 strong, the 1-16 congregation is positively influenced by Bishop Reems's 1-17 soul-stirring sermons, which have inspired countless individuals; 1-18 and 1-19 WHEREAS, Bishop Reems holds a special place in her heart for 1-20 those deemed outcasts by society, and she offers spiritual solace 1-21 and practical assistance through dozens of outreach programs 1-22 sponsored by her church; she further serves her community through 1-23 her work with Hope Housing Corporation and Hope Development 1-24 Corporation, both of which she founded and serves as board chair, 2-1 and she has been successful in the provision of transitional 2-2 housing for homeless single mothers and affordable housing for 2-3 seniors and other individuals; she has also authored two books, 2-4 Counting Everything as Joy! and Through the Storm; and 2-5 WHEREAS, On a broader scale, Bishop Reems serves as a trustee 2-6 of the International Charismatic Bible Ministries and as a board 2-7 member of Oral Roberts University and Monument International Church 2-8 Assemblies; and 2-9 WHEREAS, Named one of the top 15 black women preachers in the 2-10 United States by Ebony magazine in 1997, her exceptional 2-11 contributions have earned her many additional accolades, including 2-12 the 2000 Rosa Parks Award for Outstanding Leadership and Service 2-13 from the Junior Flair Heritage Foundation and the 1990 Humanitarian 2-14 Award in Memory of Martin Luther King, Jr., for Outstanding 2-15 Leadership and Untiring Service to Mankind, and she was named Woman 2-16 of the Year by the Urban League in 2000; and 2-17 WHEREAS, Bishop Ernestine C. Reems has touched the lives of 2-18 many people during her years of dedicated service to the Christian 2-19 ministry, and she is indeed worthy of our highest praise and 2-20 recognition; now, therefore, be it 2-21 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-22 Legislature hereby welcome Bishop Ernestine C. Reems to Texas and 2-23 extend to her warmest wishes for an enjoyable visit to the Lone 2-24 Star State; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy 2-25 of this resolution be prepared for Bishop Reems as an expression of 2-26 high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Giddings _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1124 was adopted by the House on May 23, 2001, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House