H.R. No. 1966
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The remarkable life of an esteemed religious leader
came to an end with the passing of the Reverend David Wilkerson of
Lindale on April 27, 2011, at the age of 79; and
WHEREAS, Born in Hammond, Indiana, on May 19, 1931, David
Wilkerson entered the ministry in the 1950s and served as the pastor
of several small churches in Pennsylvania; in 1958, he had an
inspired moment when he saw a picture in Life magazine of seven New
York City teenagers who had been charged with murder; he decided
then to go to the city and minister to young people who had become
involved with drugs and gang activity; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Wilkerson's efforts in their behalf over
the next several years were chronicled in the best-selling book The
Cross and the Switchblade, which he wrote along with John and
Elizabeth Sherrill; since being published in 1963, it has sold more
than 50 million copies in more than 30 languages and was named one
of the "Top 50 Books That Have Shaped Evangelicals" by Christianity
Today; a film version of the chronicle was released in 1970; and
WHEREAS, Seeking to expand his efforts to address drug
addiction among the young, Reverend Wilkerson started Teen
Challenge ministries in 1959, and it eventually grew to more than
400 centers around the world; in 1967, he founded David Wilkerson
Youth Crusades in order to help middle-class teenagers avoid the
dangers of substance abuse, crime, and violence; and
WHEREAS, Another initiative pioneered by this innovative
leader was the CURE Corps, or Collegiate Urban Renewal Effort, a
Christ-centered service organization that followed the model of the
Peace Corps and Vista; and
WHEREAS, After more than a decade in New York City, Reverend
Wilkerson relocated his ministry headquarters to Lindale, and
through the years his operations came to include rehabilitation
centers, a publishing enterprise, video production, and other
avenues of evangelism; he continued to write and eventually
authored more than 30 books; and
WHEREAS, In 1986, Reverend Wilkerson was drawn again to New
York City; in this instance, he was moved by the plight of
preadolescents he saw on 42nd Street who were using crack cocaine;
in response, he started the Times Square Church, which opened the
following year and today has nearly 8,000 members; and
WHEREAS, For more than five decades, the Reverend David
Wilkerson devoted himself to helping those in need, and his legacy
will continue to serve as a beacon of inspiration to others who are
carrying on that vital work; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of the Reverend David
Wilkerson and extend sincere condolences to the members of his
family: to his wife, Gwen; to his 4 children, 11 grandchildren, and
2 great-grandchildren; to his other relatives; and to his friends
and the members and supporters of his ministry; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Reverend
Wilkerson.
Flynn
Garza
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1966 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 19, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House