SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 244

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 
recognize Dr. Michael P. Williams on the occasion of his 20th 
anniversary as founding pastor of JOY Baptist Tabernacle; and
	WHEREAS, JOY Baptist Tabernacle was founded on February 9, 1986,
and under Dr. Williams's guidance, the church has grown to become a 
vital element in the life of the Houston community; and
	WHEREAS, Over the last 20 years, Dr. Williams has 
ministered faithfully to the temporal and spiritual needs of 
innumerable people; and
	WHEREAS, Under his outstanding leadership, the JOY Baptist 
Tabernacle has provided enlightenment, hope, and support to the 
spiritual life, the civic life, the social life, and the 
educational life of the city; and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Williams serves on numerous boards and 
commissions, including the Houston Community College Board of 
Trustees; he has also served on the faculty of the Houston 
Graduate School of Theology and lectured at Rice University; and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Williams has developed several programs to 
meet the needs of the community, including Youth Grow and Helping 
Others Pursue Excellence (H.O.P.E.); his many activities have 
included forming a coalition of ministers to address the needs of 
Hurricane Katrina victims; and
	WHEREAS, A man of exceptional intellectual and spiritual 
depth, Dr. Williams is in demand around the nation and the world 
as a speaker and lecturer; he has served as the keynote speaker at 
Yale Divinity School and Church of God International and was a 
participant in the United Kingdom Conference on Evangelism; and
	WHEREAS, The members of JOY Baptist Tabernacle will 
celebrate Dr. Williams's anniversary on May 21, 2006; the theme 
for this joyous occasion will be "Celebrating 20 years of a man 
whose ministry matters"; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
79th Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby join the members of 
the JOY Baptist Tabernacle in commending Dr. Michael P. Williams 
for his dedication and his service to his church and his 
community; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
him as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
                                                                           Ellis




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on May 15, 2006.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate