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                                                                  H.R. No. 264







R E S O L U T I O N

	WHEREAS, The Most Reverend Joseph A. Fiorenza, Archbishop of 

Galveston-Houston, will be honored on August 27, 2005, by the 

Knights of Peter Claver Houston Inter-City Councils and Courts in 

recognition of his many years of service in support of the Knights 

of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary; and

	WHEREAS, Archbishop Fiorenza has established an impressive 

record of spiritual service during his five decades as a leader in 

the Catholic Church; in addition to his lengthy affiliation with 

the Knights of Peter Claver, he has also made vital contributions to 

the growth and prosperity of the African American Ministry, 

Inner-City Catholic Schools, and the Archdiocese of 

Galveston-Houston; and

	WHEREAS, A Beaumont native and a graduate of St. Anthony High 

School, Archbishop Fiorenza was ordained at St. Mary's Seminary on 

May 29, 1954; he served as assistant pastor of Queen of Peace Church 

in Houston from 1954 to 1957 and held leadership roles at many 

notable religious institutions in the Houston area over the next 25 

years, including St. Augustine Church, St. Benedict Church, and 

Assumption Church; and

	WHEREAS, Named Prelate of Honor to His Holiness, Pope John 

Paul II, on December 5, 1973, he was ordained and installed as 

Bishop of San Angelo on October 25, 1979; he was installed as Bishop 

of Galveston-Houston on February 18, 1985, and was named Archbishop 

of Galveston-Houston by Pope John Paul II on December 29, 2004, 

shortly before the passing of His Holiness in 2005; and

	WHEREAS, Archbishop Fiorenza lends his time and talents to 

numerous organizations and associations: he has been a member of 

the administrative board of the National Conference of Catholic 

Bishops since 1995 and is a former member of the Bishops' Committee 

of Black Catholics; he served as vice president of the National 

Conference of Catholic Bishops from 1995 to 1998 and has been 

affiliated with the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, the 

University of St. Thomas in Houston, and Catholic Charities; and

	WHEREAS, The Knights of St. Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary 

are proud to honor this exceptional religious leader as he nears his 

well-deserved retirement, and it is a pleasure to join in 

commending him for his remarkable tenure of religious service; now, 

therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 

Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby recognize the Most Reverend 

Joseph A. Fiorenza, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, for his five 

decades as a leader of the Catholic Church in Texas and extend to 

him best wishes for the future; and, be it further

	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 

prepared for Archbishop Fiorenza as an expression of high regard by 

the Texas House of Representatives.



                                                                          Dutton



                                                  ______________________________

                                                       Speaker of the House     



	I certify that H.R. No. 264 was adopted by the House on August 

19, 2005, by a non-record vote.



                                                  ______________________________

                                                     Chief Clerk of the House