|
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, The Reverend Mark Craig, senior minister of Highland |
|
Park United Methodist Church, is retiring from the ministry in May |
|
2013, concluding an exceptional career that has spanned more than |
|
four decades; and |
|
WHEREAS, A graduate of Duke University Divinity School, where |
|
he earned a master of divinity degree, Reverend Craig established |
|
Custer Road United Methodist Church in Plano in 1980 and served as |
|
its pastor for 15 years; he joined HPUMC in 1995, becoming the 10th |
|
senior pastor in the church's history, and under his guidance, the |
|
congregation has grown to include more than 15,000 worshipers; and |
|
WHEREAS, Passionate about community outreach, Reverend Craig |
|
has helped form a number of worthy ministries during his tenure; |
|
among them are the HPUMC Carpenters for Christ group, which has |
|
pledged to build 100 homes for Habitat for Humanity by 2016, and the |
|
Night Owls program, which provides respite for families with |
|
special needs children; moreover, HPUMC offers an extensive network |
|
of support groups for those with physical, emotional, or other |
|
challenges; Reverend Craig has advanced mission work as well, and |
|
today the church is engaged in humanitarian efforts in more than 16 |
|
countries around the world; and |
|
WHEREAS, This esteemed clergyman has appeared on the public |
|
stage several times at the invitation of HPUMC member George |
|
W. Bush; he preached at the 1999 Texas gubernatorial inauguration |
|
and delivered the sermon at the National Cathedral before the |
|
president's second oath-taking in 2005; in addition, Reverend Craig |
|
recently gave the prayer at the opening of the George W. Bush |
|
Presidential Center; and |
|
WHEREAS, Respected and admired by all who know him, Mark |
|
Craig has wholeheartedly committed his talents and energies to |
|
serving the congregation of Highland Park United Methodist Church, |
|
and his leadership has touched the lives of countless people; now, |
|
therefore, be it |
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
|
Legislature hereby congratulate the Reverend Mark Craig on his |
|
retirement as senior minister of Highland Park United Methodist |
|
Church and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be |
|
it further |
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
prepared for Reverend Craig as an expression of high regard by the |
|
Texas House of Representatives. |
|
|
Branch |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Speaker of the House |
|
|
I certify that H.R. No. 2247 was adopted by the House on May |
|
22, 2013, by a non-record vote. |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Chief Clerk of the House |
|