H.R. No. 328



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The exceptional efforts of Nancy Muse Taylor to 
preserve the history of Palestine and Anderson County have enriched 
the people of her community and Texans across the state; and
	WHEREAS, Mrs. Taylor was born in Anderson County and educated 
in the public schools of Palestine; in 1990 she was appointed by the 
mayor as a charter member of the Palestine Historical Preservation 
Commission; in addition to holding membership in that body, she 
belongs to the Negro Historical Preservation Society and serves on 
the Anderson County Historical Commission; and
	WHEREAS, This highly esteemed citizen has worked 
wholeheartedly to save the historic fabric of the area where she was 
born and raised; for more than a decade, she has particularly 
focused on the restoration of Mt. Vernon African Methodist 
Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church in Palestine, the third-oldest black 
church in the state; a member of Mt. Vernon since 1938, Mrs. Taylor 
has taught Sunday school there and is currently serving her fellow 
congregants as a member of the board of trustees and president of 
the Women's Missionary Society; and
	WHEREAS, Her first priority regarding the church was to 
replace its leaking roof, an objective that was accomplished 
through bake sales and donations from friends, the congregation, 
and members of the public; determined to be an effective advocate 
for preservation, Mrs. Taylor also attended Texas Historical 
Commission workshops throughout the state and honed her 
grant-writing skills to gain funding for further restoration 
efforts; and
	WHEREAS, In consequence of her perseverance and hard work, 
Mt. Vernon A.M.E. Church has been designated a Recorded Texas 
Historic Landmark and a Palestine Historic Landmark, and it is 
listed in the National Register of Historic Places; and
	WHEREAS, Nancy Muse Taylor has taken a leading role in 
ensuring that the heritage of Palestine and Anderson County is 
preserved for future generations, and through her unwavering 
commitment to that cause, she has won the deep appreciation and 
affection of her community; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby recognize February 27, 2003, as Nancy Muse 
Taylor Day in Anderson County and warmly commend Mrs. Taylor on her 
priceless contributions to historic preservation in the Lone Star 
State; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mrs. Taylor as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                 Cook of Navarro

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 328 was adopted by the House on April 
3, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House