1-1                                     1                                  
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 412
 1-3           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
 1-4     recognize Reverend Ameal Jones, Sr., on the 18th anniversary
 1-5     of his becoming pastor of Mount Ararat Baptist Church in Houston;
 1-6     and
 1-7           WHEREAS, A native of Alexandria, Louisiana, Reverend Jones
 1-8     is married to Barbara, and they are the proud parents of five
 1-9     children, two of whom are young adults and three who are teenagers;
1-10     and
1-11           WHEREAS, A graduate of Louisiana College and the New Orleans
1-12     Baptist Theological Seminary, Reverend Jones has been a chaplain
1-13     and a teacher of Bible and Theology at the Southwestern Baptist
1-14     Theological Seminary and Morehouse School of Religion; and
1-15           WHEREAS, Having served three other churches in Louisiana,
1-16     Reverend Jones assumed the pastorate of the Mount Ararat Baptist
1-17     Church in Houston 18 years ago; and
1-18           WHEREAS, Under the auspices of this outstanding pastor,
1-19     membership in the church has grown from 250 members to 2,200
1-20     members, and the church has 650 people in its Sunday School; and
1-21           WHEREAS, Aligned with both the Southern and National
 2-1     Baptists, Mount Ararat has a fully accredited day care, an academy,
 2-2     an apartment ministry, a deaf ministry, and a prison ministry; and
 2-3           WHEREAS, Reverend Jones has preached, lectured, and
 2-4     conducted workshops across the country and has done mission work
 2-5     in Russia, South America, and Africa; and
 2-6           WHEREAS, Under Pastor Jones's outstanding leadership, the
 2-7     church has provided enlightenment, hope, and support to the Houston
 2-8     community; and
 2-9           WHEREAS, Inspirational and dedicated to helping others,
2-10     this beloved pastor has devoted his time and energy unselfishly
2-11     to the members of his church and the residents of Houston; and
2-12           WHEREAS, A man of spiritual depth and devotion,
2-13     Reverend Jones has performed countless ceremonies and has prayed
2-14     for and counselled his church members during their hardships and
2-15     in times of bereavement; and
2-16           WHEREAS, An accomplished theologian, Reverend Jones has
2-17     had a positive influence on the lives of many Christians; now,
2-18     therefore, be it
2-19           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-20     77th Legislature, hereby join the members of Mount Ararat Baptist
2-21     church in commending Reverend Ameal Jones, Sr., for his fervent
2-22     service to the church on his 18th pastoral anniversary; and, be
2-23     it further
 3-1           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
 3-2     him as an expression of highest regard from the Texas Senate.
 3-3                                                                   Ellis
 3-4                                  ______________________________________
 3-5                                          President of the Senate
 3-6                                       I hereby certify that the above
 3-7                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
 3-8                                  on March 6, 2001.
 3-9                                  ______________________________________
3-10                                          Secretary of the Senate
3-11                                  ______________________________________
3-12                                           Member, Texas Senate