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79S20722 JHS-D
By: Dutton 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.