1-1                                     1                                  
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 212
 1-3           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas proudly
 1-4     recognizes Dr. Thomas F. Freeman for his 50 years of loyal
 1-5     service as minister of Mount Horem Baptist Church of Houston;
 1-6     and
 1-7           WHEREAS, Dr. Freeman graduated from Virginia Union
 1-8     University and Andover Newton Theological School; he earned
 1-9     his doctoral degree from The Divinity School at The University
1-10     of Chicago; he has been serving as a minister since 1940, when
1-11     he joined Concord Baptist Church in Boston, Massachusetts; and
1-12           WHEREAS, From 1944 to 1950, Dr. Freeman served as minister
1-13     of Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia; he moved
1-14     to Houston and became minister of Mount Horem Baptist Church
1-15     in 1951; and
1-16           WHEREAS, Over the last 50 years, Dr. Freeman has ministered
1-17     faithfully to the spiritual needs of innumerable Christians; and
1-18           WHEREAS, Under his outstanding leadership, the Mount Horem
1-19     Baptist Church has provided enlightenment, hope, and support
1-20     to the Houston community; and
1-21           WHEREAS, Inspirational and dedicated to helping others,
 2-1     this beloved minister has devoted his time and energy unselfishly
 2-2     to the members of his church and the residents of Harris County;
 2-3     and
 2-4           WHEREAS, A man of spiritual depth and devotion,
 2-5     Dr. Freeman has performed countless ceremonies and has prayed
 2-6     for and counselled his church members during their hardships
 2-7     and in times of bereavement; and
 2-8           WHEREAS, A highly accomplished scholar and theologian,
 2-9     Dr. Freeman has also served as head of the philosophy department
2-10     at Texas Southern University and a lecturer for the Department
2-11     of Religion at Rice University; and
2-12           WHEREAS, He is a much sought-after speaker for such occasions
2-13     as ministers' convocations, high school and college commencement
2-14     exercises, church anniversaries, banquets, and religious programs;
2-15     and
2-16           WHEREAS, He is a historian for the Alpha Kappa Mu National
2-17     Honor Society and a member of numerous organizations, including
2-18     the American Philosophical Association, the National Association
2-19     for Innovation in Higher Education, and the American Association
2-20     of University Professors; he is the recipient of a number of
2-21     awards for his outstanding professional and community leadership;
2-22     now, therefore, be it
2-23           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-24     77th Legislature, hereby join the members of Mount Horem Baptist
 3-1     Church in commending Dr. Thomas F. Freeman for his fervent service
 3-2     to his church, his fellowman, and his community; and, be it further
 3-3           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
 3-4     him as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
 3-5                                                                   Ellis
 3-6                                  ______________________________________
 3-7                                          President of the Senate
 3-8                                       I hereby certify that the above
 3-9                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-10                                  on February 8, 2001.
3-11                                  ______________________________________
3-12                                          Secretary of the Senate
3-13                                  ______________________________________
3-14                                           Member, Texas Senate