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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Reverend Mark Craig, senior minister of Highland |
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Park United Methodist Church, is retiring from the ministry in May |
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2013, concluding an exceptional career that has spanned more than |
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four decades; and |
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WHEREAS, A graduate of Duke University Divinity School, where |
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he earned a master of divinity degree, Reverend Craig established |
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Custer Road United Methodist Church in Plano in 1980 and served as |
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its pastor for 15 years; he joined HPUMC in 1995, becoming the 10th |
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senior pastor in the church's history, and under his guidance, the |
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congregation has grown to include more than 15,000 worshipers; and |
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WHEREAS, Passionate about community outreach, Reverend Craig |
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has helped form a number of worthy ministries during his tenure; |
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among them are the HPUMC Carpenters for Christ group, which has |
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pledged to build 100 homes for Habitat for Humanity by 2016, and the |
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Night Owls program, which provides respite for families with |
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special needs children; moreover, HPUMC offers an extensive network |
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of support groups for those with physical, emotional, or other |
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challenges; Reverend Craig has advanced mission work as well, and |
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today the church is engaged in humanitarian efforts in more than 16 |
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countries around the world; and |
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WHEREAS, This esteemed clergyman has appeared on the public |
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stage several times at the invitation of HPUMC member George |
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W. Bush; he preached at the 1999 Texas gubernatorial inauguration |
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and delivered the sermon at the National Cathedral before the |
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president's second oath-taking in 2005; in addition, Reverend Craig |
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recently gave the prayer at the opening of the George W. Bush |
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Presidential Center; and |
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WHEREAS, Respected and admired by all who know him, Mark |
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Craig has wholeheartedly committed his talents and energies to |
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serving the congregation of Highland Park United Methodist Church, |
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and his leadership has touched the lives of countless people; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate the Reverend Mark Craig on his |
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retirement as senior minister of Highland Park United Methodist |
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Church and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be |
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it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Reverend Craig as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |