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