H.R. No. 856
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The 80th birthday of an esteemed Texan is indeed a
special occasion, and Marguerite Smith Latson of Houston is
celebrating this momentous milestone in her life on March 21, 2015;
and
WHEREAS, A native and lifetime resident of the Bayou City's
Fifth Ward, the former Marguerite Smith was born in 1935 to Charlie
and Hattie Smith and enjoyed the companionship of 12 siblings
growing up; she attended Bruce Elementary School and graduated with
honors from Phillis Wheatley High School in 1953; and
WHEREAS, She married Ezekiel Latson, and together they
nurtured a fulfilling marriage of nearly a half-century until his
passing; she spent many years caring for their home and raising
their 13 children, Derrick, Reginald, Masha, Farley, Ray, Kelvin,
Cynthia, Craig, Lisa, Vincent, Jeffrey, Sherri, and Jocelyn, and
Mrs. Latson also helped care for her nieces, Kim, Terry, Angela,
and Emily, in the family home; today, she is the proud matriarch of
a family that includes her grandchildren and great-grandchildren;
and
WHEREAS, Devoted to her Christian faith, Mrs. Latson sang in
the choir at New Testament Baptist Church in her youth, and later
worshipped at Greater Mount Olive and Watts Chapel Baptist
Churches; for the last several decades, she has been a valued and
active member of Bringhurst Street Good News Church, led by her son,
Senior Pastor Jeffrey Latson; she currently serves on the pastoral
support team and holds the title of church mother, and she has been
recognized for her service to the congregation with Mother of the
Year honors in 1982 and 1997; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed woman has also demonstrated her
commitment to her wider community by mentoring young people in the
Hutton Street neighborhood; moreover, she was actively involved in
her children's academic lives, volunteering her time to the Houston
Independent School District and becoming the first African American
woman on the HISD Parental Advisory Board; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to her family and fellow residents,
Marguerite Latson may reflect with pride on her eight decades of
life well lived, and it is indeed a pleasure to join with her
friends and loved ones in honoring her on this memorable occasion;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Marguerite Latson on her 80th
birthday and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued
happiness; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mrs. Latson as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Dutton
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 856 was adopted by the House on March
12, 2015, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House