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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Woodlands Church has made a positive difference at |
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home and abroad through its many good works; and |
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WHEREAS, Founded by Kerry and Chris Shook as Fellowship of |
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The Woodlands in 1993, this nondenominational church draws an |
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average attendance of more than 18,000 to services at its campuses |
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in The Woodlands and in several other locations in the Houston area; |
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over the years, the congregation's humanitarian efforts have |
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touched the lives of countless individuals; and |
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WHEREAS, In 2003, the church conducted a spontaneous shoe |
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drive for the homeless, and it went on to collect clothing and |
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donate items to the Houston Food Bank; its Angel Tree initiative has |
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delivered Christmas gifts to more than 40,000 children in need, and |
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at the beginning of every school year, the church gives school |
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supplies to at-risk students of the Conroe, Harris, Tomball, and |
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Humble Independent School Districts; in addition, its Job Support |
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Ministry has served over 10,000 individuals seeking employment; and |
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WHEREAS, The congregation sent more than $250,000 in |
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humanitarian aid to Banda Aceh following the 2004 tsunami; in the |
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wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, it dispatched volunteers and |
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supplies to Louisiana and Mississippi, as well as to Sabine Pass, |
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and it provided food to first responders and other county |
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employees; the church received the Shelter From the Storm Award |
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from the office of the Harris County judge in recognition of its |
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efforts; in September 2008, it became a FEMA Point of Distribution, |
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supplying food, ice, and water to more than 27,000 area residents; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Demonstrating exceptional compassion, the |
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congregation mobilized relief teams to help victims of Hurricane |
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Sandy and the Moore, Oklahoma, tornado; it has also benefited |
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innumerable people in countries such as Haiti, Kenya, Honduras, and |
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the Dominican Republic through missions providing medical care, |
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food, and other assistance; in addition, it has promoted |
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sustainable food security and economic empowerment through its |
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partnership in the Maseno Project (Just Earth) in northwestern |
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Kenya; and |
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WHEREAS, The members of Woodlands Church have set an |
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inspiring example through their deep commitment to assisting the |
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most vulnerable in their community and around the world, and it is |
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indeed appropriate to recognize their outstanding contributions; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor Woodlands Church for its philanthropic |
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endeavors and extend to the clergy and members sincere best wishes |
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for continued success in their important work; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the church as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |