79R9523 BJM-D

By:  Gallego                                                      H.R. No. 771



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Pastor Edward Goodman Eskew of Del Rio celebrated 
the milestone of his 79th birthday on February 7, 2005, and this 
occasion provides an apt time to recognize him for his invaluable 
contributions to his community; and
	WHEREAS, Born in 1926 to John and Ethel Eskew, Mr. Eskew grew 
up worshipping in the Congregational Church in Carrollton under the 
leadership of Reverend Bobby Lee Woodruff; while Mr. Eskew knew 
Reverend Woodruff's daughter Myrtice since childhood, he later 
realized she was his life's love, and the pair were wed during his 
first furlough during his service in the United States Marines; and
	WHEREAS, Following his return to civilian life, Mr. Eskew 
began a career in retail, eventually moving with his family to San 
Antonio, where he was a Sunday school teacher and the leader of two 
home groups at Trinity Church; inspired to devote his life to the 
church, he began to study for the ministry; and
	WHEREAS, In 1984, he was asked to move to Del Rio to help a 
struggling church; a year later, he was ordained by Trinity Church 
and World Ministry Fellowship and formed the Grace Community Church 
in Del Rio; he served the body with distinction and celebrated his 
retirement in March 2004 with a host of friends and family, each of 
whom had been touched by his spiritual leadership; and
	WHEREAS, Still active in his church and the greater 
community, Pastor Eskew remains a source of inspiration to the 
congregation and his city; he also maintains a home office and 
writes a column for the local newspaper; and
	WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Pastor Eskew has drawn on 
the support and strength of Myrtice, with whom he celebrated 60 
years of marriage on August 1, 2004; they have two children, Lene 
and Jim, two granddaughters, Jan and Diana, and four 
great-grandchildren, Lyndel, Hayden, Cassidy, and Nicole; and
	WHEREAS, This caring man has twice been honored for his 
dedication to others, once by his congregation at Grace Community 
Church for his role in assisting local flood victims, and the other 
by the Texas House of Representatives; and
	WHEREAS, Pastor Eddie Eskew has blessed the lives of 
countless Texans not only through his deeds but also because of the 
fine example he sets, and it is indeed a pleasure to honor him; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate Edward Goodman Eskew on his 79th 
birthday and commend him for his years of service to others; and, be 
it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Pastor Eskew as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.