85R12477 RMA-D
By: Thompson of Harris H.R. No. 535
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Members of the Fellowship of Enlightenment in
Houston are gathering on February 26, 2017, to honor Phyllis
Kennedy on her retirement as minister of music for that
congregation; and
WHEREAS, A native of Milwaukee, Phyllis Kennedy has devoted
herself to her faith throughout her life; at the age of just 16, she
became the choir director of New Community Baptist Church in
Houston, where her father, the Reverend L. A. Kennedy, served as
pastor, and she went on to earn a bachelor's degree in divinity; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Kennedy has built an accomplished career in
music ministry that has spanned more than four decades; over the
years, she has distinguished herself by organizing the New Children
of Christ choir and founding the All Nations in Praise and
Impartation conferences; moreover, she has released several
well-received albums, including I Am Determined, Gotta Keep on
Moving, and It's a Good Day, and collaborated with such prominent
gospel artists as Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, and Donnie
McClurkin; also known for her skills as a writer, she has authored
two books, She Just Wanted to Preach and My Morning Worship and
Meditation, as well as several plays; and
WHEREAS, In all her endeavors, Ms. Kennedy is blessed with
the love and encouragement of a fine family, including her two
daughters, LeKesha Garrett and her husband, Rod, and Airika Glaude
and her husband, Curry, and her four grandchildren, Mia, Myles,
Steven, and Kyren; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her tenure, this esteemed clergy member
has demonstrated a wholehearted commitment to her calling, using
music to greatly inspire the congregation of the Fellowship of
Enlightenment and the wider community of faith, and she may reflect
with pride on her achievements as she embarks on the next exciting
chapter of her life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Phyllis Kennedy on her retirement
as minister of music from the Fellowship of Enlightenment and
extend to her sincere best wishes for continued happiness and
fulfillment; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Ms. Kennedy as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.