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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Residents of Arlington are mourning the loss of |
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Dr. Norman Lee Robinson, senior pastor of Mount Olive Baptist |
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Church, who passed away on April 28, 2017, at the age of 96; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of Lee and Gollie McCoin Robinson, |
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N. L. Robinson was born on February 23, 1921, in Sanger and grew up |
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in Palmer; he bravely defended his country as a member of the |
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U.S. Army during World War II, and he was honorably discharged in |
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1945; his service was recognized with an Asiatic-Pacific Campaign |
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Medal with a Bronze Star seven decades later; and |
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WHEREAS, Returning stateside, Dr. Robinson accepted a |
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position with the Dallas Housing Authority, where he worked until |
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his retirement in 1976; to further the spiritual journey that he had |
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begun on Guadalcanal Island during the war, he earned a degree from |
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the Southern Bible Institute of Dallas in 1962; and |
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WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan became a member of the clergy at |
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St. John Baptist Church in Grand Prairie and pastored Lucille |
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Missionary Baptist Church in Palmer before being called to the |
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pulpit at Mount Olive in 1966; the church thrived under his |
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leadership, growing from 17 members to more than 12,000 and |
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developing a range of initiatives of benefit to the community; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the years, Dr. Robinson received numerous |
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accolades; he was awarded an honorary doctor of divinity degree and |
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keys to the cities of Arlington and Grand Prairie, and he received |
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letters of commendation from Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill |
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Clinton; in 1992, North West Street in Arlington was renamed |
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N. L. Robinson Drive in his honor; and |
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WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Dr. Robinson enjoyed the love |
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and support of his wife, Pearl, with whom he shared more than 65 |
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years of marriage until her death in 2014; he was the proud father |
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of three daughters, Norma Faye, Maynell, and Gwen, and he cherished |
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the time he spent with his numerous grandchildren; and |
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WHEREAS, An admired spiritual leader, N. L. Robinson made a |
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positive difference in the lives of his loved ones and fellow |
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citizens alike, and his contributions will continue to resonate for |
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years to come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Dr. Norman Lee |
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Robinson and extend sincere best wishes to his relatives and |
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friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of |
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Dr. N. L. Robinson. |