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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Pastor Bruce Datcher of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist |
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Church in Fort Worth is serving as Pastor of the Day for the Texas |
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House of Representatives on April 29, 2013; and |
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WHEREAS, After joining Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church as |
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an interim pastor in 2003, Pastor Datcher assumed the pulpit |
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permanently in 2004; he spent his first years with the church |
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focused on youth outreach and developing programs that offered |
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mentors and financial assistance for college to young people; and |
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WHEREAS, This notable leader was instrumental in the church's |
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development of the Brighter Outlook Community Center, which hosts |
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programs for senior citizens, including a hot meal initiative, |
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social activities, health education, and exercise classes, and for |
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children, providing healthy meals, school supply and clothing |
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giveaways, and gifts at holiday time; he now serves as the nonprofit |
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center's president and CEO; moreover, he helped to inspire a |
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countywide senior outreach program organized by the Amon Carter |
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Museum of American Art; and |
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WHEREAS, Recognized for his efforts with many awards and |
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honors, Pastor Datcher received the Young Preacher of the Year |
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Award in 2006 and the R. E. Price Community Service Award this year; |
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he has a bachelor's degree in Biblical studies from Aspen Christian |
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College and a master's degree from Aspen Theological Seminary; |
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currently, he is a candidate for a doctoral degree from the Newburg |
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Theological Seminary; and |
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WHEREAS, Pastor Datcher serves the broader community in a |
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variety of ways; he is a member of the Fort Worth mayor's |
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faith-based cabinet, is affiliated with a leadership initiative of |
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the Fort Worth public school system, and is part of a YMCA strategy |
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team for Fort Worth; in addition, he serves as an advisor with the |
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Area Agency on Aging/United Way of Tarrant County's Neighbor |
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Helping Neighbor program, as a senior chaplain to the office of a |
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Dallas County constable, as a co-chair of Zone II of the Galilee |
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Griggs Memorial District Association of Baptist Churches, as |
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general secretary of the Texas State Missionary Baptist Convention, |
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and as assistant general secretary of the Moderators Auxiliary of |
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the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.; and |
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WHEREAS, Pastor Datcher is an outstanding preacher and |
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community leader, and through the years he has inspired countless |
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Texans with his message of faith and goodwill; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby express its sincere appreciation to Pastor Bruce |
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Datcher for his service as Pastor of the Day and extend to him |
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warmest best wishes for continued success and fulfillment in his |
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ministry; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Pastor Datcher as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |