H.R. No. 107
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Those Texans who give freely of their time and
talents to benefit the larger community make the world a better
place through their actions, and the Reverend Raymond A. Callies,
Sr., of San Antonio, who passed away on June 9, 2011, at the age of
81
, was indeed one such person; and
WHEREAS, R. A. Callies was born in El Campo on September 12,
1929; he earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of
Arkansas and served two years in the U.S. Army before embarking on
dual careers in the ministry and education; he founded the First
Gethsemane Baptist Church in San Antonio, where he served as pastor
for three decades, and he also taught for more than 35 years at a San
Antonio school once known as James W. Riley, Jr., Middle School;
Reverend Callies was instrumental in persuading the San Antonio
Independent School District to rename that campus Martin Luther
King, Jr., Middle School, in just one of many examples of his
efforts to celebrate the life of Dr. King; and
WHEREAS, Driving his red truck, with Dr. King's "I Have a
Dream" speech broadcasting from the speakers, Reverend Callies
would lead his family and a few close friends through San Antonio's
East Side in the 1970s; thanks to his perseverance, these informal
processions grew into the city-sponsored MLK March, the largest
such march in the country, with upwards of 100,000 individuals
participating; and
WHEREAS, Also in the 1970s, Reverend Callies initiated a
drive to erect a statue in Dr. King's honor; he and his supporters
raised more than $9,000 over the course of some five years, and in
1982, the statue was dedicated as the Monument of Brotherhood at the
intersection of East Houston Street and North New Braunfels Avenue,
a site that he later worked to have designated MLK Plaza; among his
other local accomplishments are the development of Martin Luther
King Park and the naming of Martin Luther King Drive and the MLK
Freedom Bridge; and
WHEREAS, Through the years, Reverend Callies joined forces
with activists across Texas to lobby for the recognition of Martin
Luther King, Jr., Day as a state holiday; their goal was ultimately
realized in 1991, with the enactment of Senate Bill 134; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Callies distinguished himself as well
through his work to enhance the quality of life for residents of San
Antonio's East Side, advocating for such general improvements as
traffic lights and drainage projects; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Callies was the recipient of many
accolades, including three honorary doctorates; moreover, the San
Antonio MLK Commission presented him with its first annual MLK
Distinguished Achievement Award in 1987; in January 2008, the city
further recognized his contributions with a plaque fittingly placed
in MLK Plaza, near the foot of the King monument; in all of his
undertakings, Reverend Callies enjoyed the support of his loving
wife, Eunice, and their five children; and
WHEREAS, Passionate, inspiring, and devoted to the causes he
held dear, R. A. Callies helped to preserve the legacy of a great
American and to empower his fellow citizens, and his achievements
will continue to resonate for years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory
of the Reverend R. A. Callies and extend sincere sympathy to the
members of his family: to his wife, Eunice; to his children, Aaron,
Doris, Arlington, Yvette, and Phylis; to his six grandchildren; and
to his other relatives and many friends; 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 the
Reverend R. A. Callies.
McClendon
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 107 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on June 28, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House