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| 3 | 4 | | |
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| 4 | 5 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 5 | 6 | | WHEREAS, The members of Pilgrim Branch Missionary Baptist |
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| 6 | 7 | | Church in Houston are celebrating the 150th anniversary of their |
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| 7 | 8 | | church's founding in June 2019; and |
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| 8 | 9 | | WHEREAS, Established in 1869 under the leadership of the |
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| 9 | 10 | | Reverend Mack Austin, the former Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist |
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| 10 | 11 | | Church was created to serve a newly freed people following the end |
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| 11 | 12 | | of the Civil War; in its early years, it was located in the lowlands |
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| 12 | 13 | | on Faulkey Gully but after persistent troubles with flooding, the |
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| 13 | 14 | | church moved north to an area known as Kohrville, and the Reverend |
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| 14 | 15 | | Phil Blackstock became its first pastor; and |
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| 15 | 16 | | WHEREAS, Since its organization, Pilgrim Branch has |
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| 16 | 17 | | benefited from the dedicated efforts of many outstanding clergy, |
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| 17 | 18 | | and today that tradition of service is continued by the Reverend |
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| 18 | 19 | | Herman L. Pickens; and |
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| 19 | 20 | | WHEREAS, United by their shared faith and strong traditions, |
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| 20 | 21 | | the members of this notable house of worship have established a |
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| 21 | 22 | | variety of commendable programs that foster fellowship and offer |
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| 22 | 23 | | help to those in need, including a food pantry, a sick and |
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| 23 | 24 | | bereavement support group, a praise choir, and a youth ministry; |
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| 24 | 25 | | and |
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| 25 | 26 | | WHEREAS, Countless Houston residents have looked to Pilgrim |
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| 26 | 27 | | Branch for spiritual guidance over the years, and it is a pleasure |
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| 27 | 28 | | to join in honoring the church at this special time in its rich |
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| 28 | 29 | | history; now, therefore, be it |
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| 29 | 30 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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| 30 | 31 | | Legislature hereby commemorate the 150th anniversary of Pilgrim |
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| 31 | 32 | | Branch Missionary Baptist Church and extend to Reverend Pickens and |
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| 32 | 33 | | the congregation sincere best wishes for many more years of shared |
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| 33 | 34 | | prayer and communion; and, be it further |
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| 34 | 35 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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| 35 | 36 | | prepared for Pilgrim Branch Missionary Baptist Church as an |
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| 36 | 37 | | expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |
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