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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The 90th birthday of an esteemed Texan is indeed a |
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joyous occasion, and on November 28, 2006, the Reverend Claude |
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William Black, Jr., celebrated this special milestone in his life; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Born in San Antonio in 1916, Reverend Black attended |
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Morehouse College and Andover Newton Theological School; he served |
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as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Massachusetts and St. |
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Matthew Baptist Church in Corpus Christi before joining Mt. Zion |
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First Baptist Church in San Antonio in 1949; he remained at the helm |
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of Mt. Zion for nearly 50 years; and |
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WHEREAS, An inspiring leader both in and out of the pulpit, |
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Reverend Black advocated for equal treatment of minorities during |
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the 1950s and 1960s, organizing and leading civil rights marches |
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throughout the state; in 1973, he was elected to the San Antonio |
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City Council, on which he served four terms and became the first |
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black mayor pro tem; moreover, he founded the city's first credit |
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union for African Americans and served as president of the Baptist |
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Ministers Union of San Antonio; and |
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WHEREAS, Reverend Black's efforts in behalf of the city of |
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San Antonio, his steadfast faith, and his commitment to his fellow |
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Texans have earned him the lasting respect of countless |
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individuals, and it is a pleasure to honor him for nine decades of a |
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life well lived; 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 Claude William Black, |
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Jr., on his 90th birthday and extend to him sincere best wishes for |
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the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Reverend Black as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |