1-1 ****** NEED TWO-PAGE HEADER ****** 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 122 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to 1-4 recognize Black Methodists for Church Renewal, Incorporated, as 1-5 it hosts the 34th Annual Meeting of the National Black Methodists 1-6 for Church Renewal, Incorporated, on April 4 through 7, 2001, in 1-7 Houston; and 1-8 WHEREAS, At the same time, a celebration will be held for 1-9 the appointment of the first African American Resident Bishop of 1-10 the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Black Methodists for Church Renewal was established 1-12 in 1968 because many Black Methodists were concerned about the 1-13 realities as the group moved toward the 1968 union of the Methodist 1-14 Church and the Evangelical United Brethren; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Some of the concerns include absorption, advocacy, 1-16 invisibility, powerlessness, and renewal; the Black Methodists 1-17 sought to eradicate racism within the United Methodist Church; and 1-18 WHEREAS, From the group's establishment, the Black Methodists 1-19 has been the voice of the black church as well as an advocate for 1-20 its growth and development; instrumental in creating agencies and 2-1 programs in the general church, this body has been highly effective; 2-2 and 2-3 WHEREAS, The history of the Black Methodists for Church 2-4 Renewal shows its tenacity, creativity, its lasting resources, 2-5 and its sense of hope; now, therefore, be it 2-6 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-7 77th Legislature, hereby commend and congratulate the Black 2-8 Methodists for Church Renewal, Incorporated, as it enjoys its 2-9 34th Annual Meeting in April, 2001; and, be it further 2-10 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 2-11 the church as an expression of highest regard and esteem from 2-12 the Texas Senate. 2-13 Ellis 2-14 ______________________________________ 2-15 President of the Senate 2-16 I hereby certify that the above 2-17 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-18 on January 29, 2001. 2-19 ______________________________________ 2-20 Secretary of the Senate 2-21 ______________________________________ 2-22 Member, Texas Senate