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                                                                  H.R. No. 298



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The Reverend Stephen John Thurston has made an 
indelible impact as president of the National Baptist Convention of 
America, Inc., and it is a pleasure to recognize this esteemed 
clergyman; and
	WHEREAS, Born in Chicago in 1952, Reverend Thurston earned 
his bachelor's degree in religion from Bishop College in Dallas and 
pursued postgraduate studies at Wheaton College in Illinois; he 
preached his first sermon on Easter Sunday in 1971, and he was 
subsequently ordained and appointed as assistant pastor of New 
Covenant Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago; he eventually 
followed in his father's and grandfather's footsteps and became the 
third generation of Thurstons to be appointed pastor of this 
venerable house of worship; a well-known and respected revivalist, 
Reverend Thurston has ably led his own congregation for more than 25 
years, and his ministry has reached communities in Africa, the 
Caribbean, and the Middle East; and
	WHEREAS, In September 2003, he was elected as 14th president 
of the NBCA, a fellowship of churches with a membership of 
approximately five million African American Baptists; an 
accomplished author and community leader, he previously served as 
third vice president of the organization for 15 years, and he holds 
the distinction of being the youngest president in its history; and
	WHEREAS, Reverend Thurston has been named one of America's 
Best and Brightest Young Business and Professional Men by Dollars 
and Sense magazine, and he has further distinguished himself as 
host of the 107th annual session of the NBCA, as coordinator for the 
1990 Baptist World Alliance in Seoul, South Korea, and as president 
of the Illinois National Baptist State Convention; and
	WHEREAS, Reverend Stephen Thurston exemplifies the very 
highest standards of his vocation, and it is most fitting that he be 
recognized for his contributions to his church community and to the 
members of the NBCA, who look forward with anticipation to his 
continued leadership; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby honor the Reverend Stephen 
John Thurston for his dedicated service as president of the 
National Baptist Convention of America, Inc., and extend to him 
sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Reverend Thurston as an expression of high regard by 
the Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                       McClendon

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 298 was adopted by the House on May 
10, 2006, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House