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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Greater Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in |
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Houston is celebrating its 112th anniversary on April 22, 2007; and |
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WHEREAS, Based in the Houston Heights neighborhood since its |
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inception, the church was organized in 1895 by the Reverend L. W. |
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Williams in the home of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Grant; within three |
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years of its founding, the congregation held its first revival, |
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which was conducted by the prominent Houston minister and civic |
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leader Jack Yates; and |
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WHEREAS, The first structure erected by members of the church |
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was a brush arbor; with the passage of time, the congregation bought |
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two lots and constructed a simple building; seven more lots were |
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subsequently purchased, and in 1961 the present sanctuary was |
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erected; since that time, more property has been acquired and many |
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improvements to the physical fabric of the church have continued to |
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be made; and |
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WHEREAS, Throughout its history, Greater Mt. Zion has been |
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blessed with dynamic spiritual leadership; those who have guided |
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the congregation include Reverend Reed, Reverend Ramsey, and the |
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Reverends G. R. Alford, E. D. Carrington, C. J. Rigmaiden, A. L. |
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Cain, Ralph D. West, Lugene Spurlock, Jr., Julius Glass, and |
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Derrick L. Joseph; it was during the pastorate of Reverend |
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Carrington that the name of the congregation was changed from Mt. |
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Zion Baptist to Greater Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, Greater Mt. Zion is ably led by the Reverend |
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Gaidi Burgess, who was installed as pastor on December 18, 2005; |
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since Reverend Burgess assumed the pulpit of this historic church, |
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its membership has continued to grow and new ministries have been |
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added; the slogan "The Church Where We Love God and Each Other" has |
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been selected by Reverend Burgess as the congregation's present |
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theme; and |
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WHEREAS, Sustained by a common purpose, warm fellowship, and |
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inspired teaching, the members of Greater Mt. Zion Missionary |
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Baptist Church have remained constant in their devotion and witness |
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to their faith, and it is a pleasure to join in recognizing this |
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joyous occasion in the life of their church; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate the Reverend Gaidi Burgess and his |
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congregants on the 112th anniversary of Greater Mt. Zion Missionary |
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Baptist Church and extend to them sincere best wishes as they embark |
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on a new year of worship and service; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Greater Mt. Zion as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |
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Dutton |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1532 was adopted by the House on April |
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23, 2007, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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