H.R. No. 1486



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The Right Reverend Claude Edward Payne, bishop of 
the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, is retiring in June 2003 after 
guiding the church in that diocese through a period of remarkable 
growth; and
	WHEREAS, Bishop Payne was consecrated as bishop coadjutor of 
the 57-county diocese in October 1993 and installed as diocesan 
bishop in February 1995; during his tenure, average attendance at 
Sunday services, total congregational income, and donations to the 
diocesan outreach budget have all increased markedly; local lay 
vicars have been raised up to serve small rural congregations, new 
churches have been formed, and a number of established churches and 
other church institutions have undergone dramatic expansion; and
	WHEREAS, Under Bishop Payne's leadership, the effervescence 
within the church in the diocese has been reflected in the 
appointment of the first female canon to the ordinary and the 
selection of the first African Americans as bishop suffragan, 
assistant bishop, and diocesan youth missioner; and
	WHEREAS, While working to build and strengthen the church, 
Bishop Payne has also sought to shift its focus outward to serve the 
unchurched and the wider community; as part of this endeavor, 
social service programs in Houston, Beaumont, Galveston, and Austin 
are rendering crucial assistance to homeless and impoverished 
citizens in those communities; and
	WHEREAS, Bishop Payne has also played an instrumental role in 
establishing Episcopal Health Charities (EHC), which has assisted 
community outreach programs with approximately $50 million since 
1997; 63 percent of EHC grants support programs beyond the diocesan 
congregations, such as a fully equipped mobile health clinic for 
homeless youth in Houston; and
	WHEREAS, Born in Abilene, this distinguished Texan received a 
degree in chemical engineering from Rice University and master's 
and doctor of divinity degrees from the Church Divinity School of 
the Pacific; before his election as bishop in 1993, he served for 25 
years at St. Mark's in Beaumont and St. Martin's in Houston; and
	WHEREAS, Through his exceptional vision, untiring 
commitment, and skillful leadership, Bishop Payne has contributed 
immeasurably to the vigor of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of 
Texas and guided the church in vital service to the community at 
large; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor the Right Reverend Claude Edward Payne as 
he prepares to retire as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas 
and extend to him sincere appreciation for the energy, time, and 
concern he has devoted to the citizens of this state.

                                                                          Wilson

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 1486 was adopted by the House on May 
30, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House