78S30578 MDM-D

By:  Jones of Dallas                                              H.R. No. 262



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The Reverend Dr. William J. Shaw, a Marshall, Texas, 
native, provides exceptional leadership to the National Baptist 
Convention U.S.A., Inc., and spiritual guidance to the congregation 
of White Rock Baptist Church; and
	WHEREAS, In 1999, Dr. Shaw was elected president of the 
National Baptist Convention, the largest group of predominantly 
African American churches in the world, and his exemplary tenure 
has reflected unity and progress; under his guidance, the 
convention eliminated the 14-year debt on the Baptist World Center 
in three years, implemented new accounting procedures, established 
a retirement plan for pastors, ministers, and church staff, and 
identified a number of outreach challenges to be met by the 
organization; and
	WHEREAS, Pastor of the historic White Rock Baptist Church in 
West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, since 1956, Dr. Shaw has 
shepherded the church through a period of growth and prosperity and 
established outreach ministries to meet the needs of a diverse 
metropolitan congregation; called to the ministry early in life, he 
preached a trial sermon at age 11 and was ordained at age 17, when he 
became pastor of Oak Hill Baptist Church in Harrison County, Texas; 
and
	WHEREAS, This highly regarded gentleman, who was 
valedictorian of his high school senior class at age 16, graduated 
summa cum laude from Bishop College and went on to receive a master 
of divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary and a doctorate 
in ministry from the Colgate Rochester School at Crozer Theological 
Seminary in Rochester, New York; and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Shaw is involved in numerous civic endeavors and 
serves as a board member of Junior Achievement of Delaware Valley, 
Inc., Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, the Greater 
Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, and the Martin Luther King, 
Jr., Fellows in Black Church Studies; and
	WHEREAS, A devoted husband and father as well, he enjoys a 
warm family life with his wife of 42 years, Camellia, their son and 
daughter-in-law, Timothy and Simone, and two granddaughters, 
Lillian and Brittany; and
	WHEREAS, Throughout his lifetime, Dr. Shaw has demonstrated a 
deep commitment to his family, his faith, and his community, and it 
is truly a pleasure to join in honoring him at this time; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby commend the Reverend 
Dr. William J. Shaw for his outstanding leadership of the National 
Baptist Convention U.S.A., Inc., and White Rock Baptist Church and 
extend to him heartfelt best wishes for continued success and 
happiness; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Dr. Shaw as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.