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| 4 | 5 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 5 | 6 | | WHEREAS, Members of First Baptist Church Waxahachie |
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| 6 | 7 | | celebrated the dedication of their church's new home with a |
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| 7 | 8 | | ribbon-cutting ceremony and gospel concert on March 3, 2019; and |
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| 8 | 9 | | WHEREAS, First organized on March 17, 1861, FBC Waxahachie |
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| 9 | 10 | | started out as a small church with only 12 founding members; it has |
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| 10 | 11 | | since developed into a thriving congregation that has outgrown a |
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| 11 | 12 | | number of sanctuaries; previously located on North Rogers Street, |
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| 12 | 13 | | the church moved to its current campus on the U.S. Highway 287 |
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| 13 | 14 | | bypass near Broadhead Road in December 2018; and |
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| 14 | 15 | | WHEREAS, Over the years, FBC Waxahachie has benefited from |
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| 15 | 16 | | the efforts of 12 outstanding clergymen, including the Reverend |
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| 16 | 17 | | David Ritsema, who has led the congregation since 2013; united by |
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| 17 | 18 | | their shared faith and strong traditions, the members of this |
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| 18 | 19 | | notable house of worship have established a variety of commendable |
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| 19 | 20 | | programs that foster fellowship and offer help to those in need, |
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| 20 | 21 | | including missions to Guatemala and Estonia; the church is |
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| 21 | 22 | | currently focusing on assisting children from low-income families |
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| 22 | 23 | | in the local community; and |
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| 23 | 24 | | WHEREAS, For 158 years, First Baptist Church Waxahachie has |
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| 24 | 25 | | played a vital role in the lives of area residents, and its |
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| 25 | 26 | | continued existence is a tribute to the unwavering commitment of |
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| 26 | 27 | | its congregants, both past and present; now, therefore, be it |
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| 27 | 28 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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| 28 | 29 | | Legislature hereby commemorate the dedication of First Baptist |
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| 29 | 30 | | Church Waxahachie's new building and extend to its members and |
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| 30 | 31 | | clergy sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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| 31 | 32 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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| 32 | 33 | | prepared for the church as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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| 33 | 34 | | House of Representatives. |
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