79R6459 BJM-D

By:  Baxter                                                       H.R. No. 750



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The retirement of Dr. Gerald Mann as senior pastor 
of Riverbend Church in Austin provides an apt occasion to recognize 
this renowned minister's myriad contributions to his faith 
community; and
	WHEREAS, A native of West Columbia, Dr. Mann earned his 
bachelor's degree in religion at the University of Corpus Christi 
while preaching at the First Baptist Church of Schulenburg, and he 
later garnered his master's in theology and his doctorate in 
philosophy from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; and
	WHEREAS, Following the completion of his education, Dr. Mann 
served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Hereford, before moving 
to Austin to minister at University Baptist Church; and
	WHEREAS, This talented and dynamic public speaker soon 
accepted a new role that would earn him statewide recognition; 
named chaplain of the Texas Legislature, he ably served the House of 
Representatives from 1975 to 1995 and the Senate from 1976 to 1996; 
famous for his unique sense of humor that permeated his opening 
"one-line zinger" prayers, Dr. Mann earned a dedicated following of 
legislators and Capitol visitors alike; and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Mann began his own church in 1979 with 60 
committed members and a land grant in West Austin; through the 
ensuing years, the congregation at Riverbend Church grew steadily, 
and today more than 8,000 area residents attend regularly to hear 
Dr. Mann's entertaining and inspiring sermons; in order to reach an 
even wider audience, Dr. Mann's services were televised in the 
Capital City and later syndicated internationally, reaching more 
than 70 million homes; and
	WHEREAS, The author of 11 books, the eminently quotable Dr. 
Mann has been cited by a host of respected news sources, including 
Newsweek, NBC Nightly News, and The Wall Street Journal; moreover, 
he was recently named one of the most effective preachers in the 
English-speaking world; and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Mann's untiring efforts and rousing sermons 
reflect an uncompromising commitment to making faith work in 
everyday life, and it is a pleasure to join in celebrating his 
outstanding record of achievement; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. Gerald Mann on his retirement 
as senior pastor of Riverbend Church and commend him for his years 
of dedicated service to the Austin community; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Dr. Mann as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.