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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Reverend Dr. Neil G. Cazares-Thomas has been a |
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leader in the fight for social justice for members of the LGBTQIA+ |
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communities in Texas, and his efforts have made a positive |
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difference in numerous lives; and |
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WHEREAS, Since 2015, Reverend Cazares-Thomas has been the |
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senior pastor at Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, which is a member of |
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the United Church of Christ and one of the largest predominately |
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LGBTQIA+ churches in the nation; since 1981, he has been a member of |
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Metropolitan Community Churches, a movement made up of LGBTQIA+ |
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affirming congregations, and he previously served as senior pastor |
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of MCC churches in Bournemouth, England, and Los Angeles, |
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California; and |
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WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Reverend Cazares-Thomas has |
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spoken out against the bigotry that many religious organizations |
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express toward members of the LGBTQIA+ communities; in addition, he |
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has played a vital role in establishing programs for unhoused |
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people, night and day shelters, safe sex initiatives, and LGBTQ |
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youth services, and he helped found a drop-in counseling center |
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during the AIDS pandemic; and |
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WHEREAS, A native of Bournemouth, Reverend Cazares-Thomas |
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attended St. John's Theological College, La Saint Union, and King |
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Alfred's College, and he earned his doctorate of ministry from San |
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Francisco Theological Seminary in 2009; he has chaired the Ordained |
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Ministries European District board and served as a member of the |
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Elder's Task Force on Education, the European District Committee, |
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and the board of Samaritan College, among other leadership roles; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Reverend Cazares-Thomas is a recipient of many |
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honors, including the 2018 Justice Seeker of the Year Award from the |
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Dallas Peace and Justice Center, the 2017 Shalom Award from the |
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Temple Shalom Brotherhood, the 2017 Partners for Equality Award |
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from Lambda Legal, the 2016 Crystal Hope Award from AIDS Interfaith |
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Network, the 2012 Leadership Award from California Faith for |
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Equality, and the 2010 Harvey Milk Award; and |
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WHEREAS, Through his myriad endeavors, Reverend |
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Cazares-Thomas has helped further inclusion and equality in the |
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Lone Star State, and he may indeed reflect with pride on his many |
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noteworthy accomplishments; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby commend the Reverend |
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Dr. Neil G. Cazares-Thomas for his service to the LGBTQIA+ |
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communities of Texas and extend to him sincere best wishes for |
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continued success in his 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 Reverend Cazares-Thomas as an expression of high |
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regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |