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                                                                  H.R. No. 96 



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The congregation of St. George Antiochian Orthodox 
Church of El Paso is celebrating the consecration of its new church 
building on October 17, 2003; and
	WHEREAS, St. George traces its roots back to 1947, when 
citizens of Arabic descent organized to establish an Eastern 
Orthodox church in El Paso; after meeting in a private home, the 
group was offered the use of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church for 
its services; at times it also used the Pro Cathedral Church of St. 
Clement; and
	WHEREAS, The Right Reverend Basilious Sedoui, from Damascus, 
Syria, became the first pastor of the congregation and served until 
1950, delivering his sermons alternately in Greek and in Arabic; as 
more and more young people who could not speak Arabic came into the 
church, a new priest, the Very Reverend Father Nicholas Husson, was 
assigned to it, and he led the congregation from October 1950 until 
his retirement in 1967; and
	WHEREAS, In order to accommodate their growing membership, 
the congregation purchased Westminster Presbyterian Church in 1950 
and remodeled it to meet their needs, doing much of the carpentry 
themselves; the building was renovated again in 1958, following a 
fire, and in 1974 the congregation erected a church hall, gym, 
kitchen, and classrooms; and
	WHEREAS, The Very Reverend Father Jehad T. Michael has served 
the congregants of St. George as pastor since 1991, and he has been 
assisted since 1994 by the Reverend Father Robert Bethoney; and
	WHEREAS, The life of this congregation is further sustained 
and enriched by the contributions of a number of organizations, 
including the Parish Council, Ladies Society, Fellowship of St. 
John the Divine, Order of St. Ignatius, Teen SOYO, choir, church 
school, and altar boys; over the course of the year, members also 
sponsor a number of events designed to benefit both the church and 
the wider community; and
	WHEREAS, Through the tireless and dedicated efforts of many 
individuals, the congregation of St. George has enjoyed a cherished 
spiritual home for more than half a century, and it is a pleasure to 
join in celebrating the consecration of its splendid new building; 
now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Very Reverend Father Jehad T. Michael, the 
Reverend Father Robert Bethoney, and the congregation of St. George 
Antiochian Orthodox Church be congratulated on the occasion of the 
consecration of their new church edifice and that they be extended 
sincere best wishes for success in all their future endeavors; and, 
be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church as an expression 
of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                        Haggerty

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 96 was adopted by the House on August 
13, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House