H.R. No. 978 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Dr. M. LaVelle Hendricks has been honored for his 20 years of dedicated service as pastor of East Caney Missionary Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs; and WHEREAS, When Pastor Hendricks assumed the pulpit of East Caney on March 6, 1991, the congregation of that historic church consisted of just nine individuals; since that time, this dynamic clergyman has drawn many more members into the church family and overseen the construction of a 5,000-square-foot educational and family life center; and WHEREAS, Pastor Hendricks has also played an instrumental role in making East Caney a vital force for good throughout Hopkins County; under his guidance, the congregation has established ministries to help feed and clothe the needy, provide comfort and companionship to those in nursing homes and in the hospital, and reach out to those in prison; the church also supports programs that honor youth, community heroes, teachers, law enforcement officers, and civic and spiritual leaders; and WHEREAS, Over the past two decades, Pastor Hendricks has led East Caney Missionary Baptist Church with conviction and compassion, and he has earned the lasting respect and admiration of his congregants as well as members of the wider community; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby commend Dr. M. LaVelle Hendricks for his 20 years of outstanding service to East Caney Missionary Baptist Church and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success with his important work; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Pastor Hendricks as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Cain ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 978 was adopted by the House on April 7, 2011, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House