78S40784 MDM-D

By:  Smith of Tarrant                                           H.C.R. No. 16 



CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, Dr. Claude Thomas and the congregation of First 
Baptist Church Euless celebrated the church's centennial of service 
to the community on May 1 and 2, 2004; and
	WHEREAS, The church traces its roots to March 26, 1904, when 
Tarrant County missionary J. T. Bussey convened an organizational 
meeting at the home of Charles Fitch, for the purpose of starting a 
missionary Baptist church; in attendance were E. J. and Mattie 
Baucom, G. H. and Susan Himes, D. B. and Mary Baker, H. V. Booher, 
Jennie Fitch, Ida Youngblood, Mollie Martin, M. A. Jernigan, and 
Charles Fitch; and
	WHEREAS, Throughout its notable history, First Baptist 
Church Euless has relocated and expanded to keep pace with the 
congregation's steady growth, and its members have greatly 
benefited from the leadership of a host of dedicated pastors who 
have brought vision and positive change to this close-knit 
community; and
	WHEREAS, Since answering the call to the pastorate of the 
church in 1992, Dr. Thomas has led the dynamic First Baptist Church 
Euless congregation, supporting an array of worthy ministries and 
special events of benefit to church members and the wider 
community; located on approximately 20 acres at 1000 West Airport 
Freeway, the church's physical plant provides ample room for the 
diverse opportunities offered to its membership, which today 
exceeds 14,000 congregants; and
	WHEREAS, For 100 years, First Baptist Church Euless has 
provided outstanding spiritual and moral guidance, and the church 
remains a tribute to the commitment and hard work of its members, 
past and present, who have given generously of their time, energy, 
and financial resources to ensure its continued existence as a 
house of worship; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas, 
4th Called Session, hereby congratulate Dr. Claude Thomas and the 
members of First Baptist Church Euless on the joyous occasion of the 
church's 100th anniversary; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the church as a commemoration of this significant 
event by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.